News and Events : News 03-04 Press Release October 30, 2003 J.C. Watts Speaks on ‘Our Nation Today’ NORTHFIELD, Mass.–The Honorable J.C. Watts, whose resume includes football player, ordained minister, and four-term congressman, will speak on “Our Nation Today” at 8 pm, Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in the Auditorium, Northfield Mount Hermon School. Watts will address today’s political climate, including issues of diversity, equity, and justice, from his unique perspective as the first African American elected to chair the House Republican Conference. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Jacqueline Smethurst Series.  Watts reached a leadership position in the Republican party by an unusual career path. An outstanding quarterback at the University of Oklahoma, he was Most Valuable Player for two Orange Bowls and for Canada’s Super Bowl. After his football career, Watts, an ordained minister, was elected to the House of Representatives in his home state of Oklahoma in 1994. He served for eight years and in 1998 was elected chair of the House Republican Conference, the fourth highest position in the House. Honorary cochair of the 2000 Republican National Convention, Watts is currently a member of several corporate boards and cochair of the Coalition for AIDS Relief in Africa. The Smethurst Series is named for former Head of the School Jacqueline Smethurst and was created to enrich the school's intellectual and cultural life.  Contact: Barbara Hall, 413-498-3205, bhall@nmhschool.org

Top of Page