Dramatist to Speak at 2013 Free Enterprise Dinner
Dr. Jack R. Van Ens will be the guest speaker at the 2013 University of the Southwest Free Enterprise Dinner on APRIL 18, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. The dinner will be held in the Jack & Mabel Maddox Student Life Center on the USW campus. Meal tickets are $50 per person, or sponsorships at different levels are available.
Also at the dinner, Hobbs resident and business owner, JAMES FRANCIS, will be presented with the 2013 Trustee of Free Enterprise award.
Dr. Van Ens is a dramatist, historian and newspaper commentator. Dr. Van Ens serves as Executive Director of Creative Growth Inc. (
www.thelivinghistory.com), making history come alive as Van Ens portrays Thomas Jefferson and the colonial preacher Jonathan Edwards in period costume.
Since 1976, Van Ens has portrayed these pivotal leaders for schools, religious organizations, libraries, and public service groups. The Colorado Humanities sponsors him on the Chautauqua circuit.
Having earned two Masters Degrees (one in colonial history) and a Doctorate in Communications from Princeton Theological Seminary, Van Ens has twice been invited as a Visiting Scholar at the International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello.
His book, “How Jefferson Made the Best of Bad Messes,” was published in 2000. Since 1974, Van Ens has written a weekly commentary for newspapers such as the Denver Post Hub editions and the Vail Daily in which he interprets what’s happening at the intersection of politics and religion.
For over two decades he has coordinated the Jefferson County (CO) Good News Breakfast, bringing together 500+ community leaders to celebrate civic virtue. Van Ens joined the Colorado Civic Canopy at its start, a statewide “network of networks” fostering civic engagement.
He is married to Sandra, a retired educator. Since 1981, they have resided in Arvada, CO.