FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Any time the University of Arkansas can host a former president it is a major event. The opportunity for the university to present a town hall meeting with the main figure in a nationwide campaign for energy independence is equally significant.

Both of these rare events are scheduled to happen at the University of Arkansas on the same day: Monday, April 6, 2009, truly a “Big Day” for the Fayetteville campus.

T. Boone Pickens, author of the “Pickens Plan” will make his case for a new energy policy during a town hall meeting from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development Auditorium in the Sam M. Walton College of Business.

At 8 p.m., former president George H.W. Bush will speak at Barnhill Arena as part of the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Both events are free, open to the public and no tickets are required.

“This is a most remarkable day at the University of Arkansas,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “The fact that two extraordinary, world renowned people with as much knowledge and experience as former President Bush and T. Boone Pickens have chosen to come here to speak to our students and our community says a great deal about the reputation of the University of Arkansas. I am personally excited to hear them and what they have to say at this critical time in our country’s history. I hope our students and the people of our community take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.”

This will be Pickens’ first visit to the University of Arkansas campus. Former president Bush was here once before: in 1969, as a guest at the “Big Shootout” between Texas and Arkansas at Razorback Stadium. Arkansas lost that game in the final minutes, 15-14. The “Big Day on Campus” is expected to be a winner for everyone involved.