This story originally ran in the Monday, September 20, 2010 edition of the Blue Ridge Business Journal. The Journal ceased publication in December 2010. Visit roanoke.com/bizjournal to browse an archive of BRBJ stories. For business coverage from The Roanoke Times, visit roanoke.com/business.

George W. Bush to speak in Bristol

Former President George W. Bush will speak at the first joint fundraiser held by the Appalachian School of Law and the Appalachian College of Pharmacy scheduled for Sept. 24.

The fundraiser will take place at the Olde Farm in Bristol, which holds 130 to 140 people. For $10,000 a couple, guests will have dinner followed by remarks from Bush about his tenure as president.

Terry Kilgore, dean of institutional advancement at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, has worked with several people from both schools to bring Bush to Virginia.

They were able to connect with the former president through James "Jim" McGlothlin of the United Company, a friend of Bush.

Kilgore said a lot of work went into the event, including negotiating with Bush's people in Texas and with the Secret Service.

"We've worked hard to make it happen. There are a lot of i's to dot and t's to cross," Kilgore said. "He will go down in history as one of our good presidents."

Kilgore said that Bush also will be able to discuss his new book, "Decision Points," which will be published in November.

The schools have set no specific fundraising goal, but money brought in at the event will contribute to scholarship programs at both institutions.

For information about attending the event, call Kilgore at (276) 498-5200, Whitney Caudill at (276) 498-5212 or Wendy O'Neil at (276) 935-4349.

-- Michelle Skeen

Weather Journal

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