UCO changes mind, re-invites Ken Ham to speak

UCO CHANGES MIND - INVITES CHRISTIAN SPEAKER

After an overwhelmingly negative response in the media and from the public, President Don Betz of the University of Central Oklahoma has extended a personal invitation for Ken Ham to speak on the UCO campus.  Ham is the founder and president of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter near Cincinnati. 

Ham had initially been invited to the campus by the UCO Student Government, but the invitation was rescinded after substantial bullying and intimidation was levied on UCOSA President Stockton Duvall by campus LGBT activists. 

“I am happy with the change of action,” said local pastor Paul Blair.  “I only wish there was a change of heart.” 

Blair is Senior Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond.  Blair extended an invitation for Ham to speak at his church after UCO campus representatives broke the initial contract. 

“Subsequent university press releases continued to shirk any responsibility and confused the facts,” Blair added.  “They failed to protect the safety and well-being of student Duvall, neglected to protect Mr. Ham’s First Amendment rights and then refused to admit their mistake.” 

Blair continued: “The university has a record of spending substantial taxpayer dollars on Drag Queen Shows and Sex Carnivals. However, it resists allowing conservative or Christian voices to be heard.  There is a systemic problem that has still not been addressed.  I urge UCO alumni and legislators to act.  Oklahoma is a conservative state.  It is shocking to see a public university so out of touch with the people who fund it.”

Ham will be speaking on Monday, March 5, from 3 PM to 5 PM in Constitution Hall at UCO.  He will be accompanied in the campus presentation by Dr. Georgia Purdom.  Dr. Purdom (PhD, molecular genetics, Ohio State University) will address the topic “Genetics and the Bible.”  Ham will speak a second time that day at Fairview Baptist Church at 6:30 PM.  Fairview Baptist Church is located at 1230 N. Sooner Road in Edmond.  Topics will be different for both events.  There is no charge to attend either event, but seating is limited at both venues.