Dr. John C. Green and William L. Hershey will discuss their book, “Mr. Chairman: The Life And Times Of Ray C. Bliss,” at the Akron Press Club Wednesday, January 24, 2018, at the Tangier in Akron. There will be the opportunity for questions from the audience.
This event is co-sponsored by the University of Akron’s Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.
“Mr. Chairman” tells the story of how Ray C. Bliss was a force in the Republican Party for more than three decades, starting in Ohio and eventually on the national stage. He was among the first to use polling and television in campaigns.
He became national chair of the party in 1965, following Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater’s landside defeat. Bliss rebuilt the party. His ability to unite liberal, moderate and conservative Republicans helped put Richard M. Nixon in the White House in 1968.
John C. Green is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron, a post he has held since 1988. He has done extensive research on American religion and politics, political parties and Ohio politics. He is often quoted in the news media.
William L. Hershey spent more than 40 years reporting on Ohio government and politics at the local, state, and national levels before retiring from the Dayton Daily News in 2012. He was Washington correspondent for the Akron Beacon Journal and Columbus bureau chief for the Beacon Journal and the Dayton Daily News. He covered nine national political conventions and eight Ohio presidential campaigns.
Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing following the presentation.
Speakers: Co-authors of the book, “Mr. Chairman: The Life and Times of Ray C. Bliss.”
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
Time: Buffet luncheon starting at 11:45 a.m. Program begins at noon.
Place: The Tangier, 532 W. Market Street, Akron.
Cost: $20 for Akron Press Club Members; $25 Non-Members; $160 for a table of 8.
Reservations requested: Click here for easy online reservations. Or contact Lianne Fowler, Press Club administrator, at 330-552-8860 or akronpressclub@gmail.com. Cash or check only accepted day of luncheon.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Friday, January 19, 2018.
Cancellations: Cancellation requests must be received no later than 48 hours before the event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students and sponsors annual fundraising and community outreach events. Visit www.akronpressclub.org for membership information.
