By: Mike Fisher ~Staff Writer~

The annual Ann Buenger Speaker Series will focus on the importance of pausing in life. The event, which has taken place every November since 2003, will happen on Nov. 5 at the Schiff Family Conference Center in Cintas Center.

Xavier students may associate Ann Buenger with the dormitory bearing her name. However, she was influential in other ways as well. She had a great impact in Greater Cincinnati, sharing her time and resources throughout the region. One of her many passions was Catholic education, so in conjunction with Xavier’s Center for Catholic Education, the Ann Buenger Catholic Speaker Series was born.

Each fall the series hosts a nationally known speaker who is pertinent in the world of education, sharing the latest innovations and knowledge about high-performance teaching, effective school leadership and the world of education. Past speakers include Matthew Kelly, Mark Brown and Guy Doud.

More than 800 people attend the event, most of whom are teachers and administrators from the Cincinnati area. Students are welcome and encouraged to come to the event.

This year’s keynote speaker is Terry Hershey, a former Protestant minister who now works as an author and inspirational speaker. His book, “The Power of Pause,” will be the theme of his speech in which he will outline the benefits of doing less and living more.

In a world that demands bigger, better and faster, Hershey claims it is important it is for us to slow down and be gentle with ourselves.

“Terry Hershey brings a spirit of new life into the drudgery of old everyday life, with a vital faith that he articulates so beautifully,” Michael Morgan of the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church in Birmingham, Ala., said.

Mike Flick, director of the Center for Catholic Education, said students would benefit from attending the event. “It’s the largest speaker series held at Xavier each year, and one that is motivational for all students,” Flick said.

The Ann Buenger Speaker Series kicks off at 3:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres, and the keynote speech begins at 4:30 p.m., which will last approximately one hour. A reception will follow the event. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. To make a reservation, send an email to buengerspeakerseries@xavier.edu.