The Harding University American Studies Institute will host the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, Former Governor David Beasely, along with United States Senator John Boozman and Former Walmart CFO Brett Biggs for a discussion on the future of global food security Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 3-4:45 p.m. in the Anthony and Wright Administration Building Auditorium.
Beasley was appointed executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme, the largest humanitarian organization in the world focused on hunger and food security, in 2017. He has implemented strategies that seek to provide global food security and, under his leadership, the World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020. Beasley served as the governor of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999, during which time he was awarded the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. He attended Clemson University and earned a law degree from the University of South Carolina.
Boozman is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which has jurisdiction over various aspects of U.S. food production and nutrition policy. As a leader on these issues, Boozman has championed legislation to fight hunger at home and worldwide, most recently with the Global Malnutrition Prevention and Treatment Act and the Keep Kids Fed Act, both of which passed Congress with bipartisan support this year. The senator is a founder and co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus. During his tenure in the Senate, he has frequently been recognized for his efforts to address food insecurity, including as a recipient of the Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger Leadership Award. Boozman attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from the Southern College of Optometry.
Biggs served as chief financial officer of Walmart, the largest food retailer in the world, from 2016 to 2022. Biggs worked for the company for 22 years, serving in multiple roles including CFO for Walmart International, Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club. He also served as senior vice president of international strategy, mergers and acquisitions; senior vice president of corporate finance and senior vice president of operations for Sam’s Club.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit harding.edu/asi or call 501-279-4497. For other Harding events and free and low cost services available to the community, visit harding.edu/community.
Harding University is a private Christian, liberal arts university located in Searcy, Arkansas. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it is the largest private university in the state. Harding’s student body represents students from across the U.S. and more than 50 nations and territories. The University offers more than 110 undergraduate majors; 14 preprofessional programs; more than 40 graduate and professional programs; as well as numerous study abroad opportunities including locations in Australasia, Peru, England, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information, visit harding.edu.
