Freed-Hardeman asks for prayers in advance of Cosby appearance (Updated)
Comedian Bill Cosby is scheduled to speak at the Christian university's Dec. 5 fundraiser. Officials stress that recent reports about Cosby's past "represent real people whose lives will be affected long after FHU’s dinner has passed."
Update: On Nov. 26, administrators at Freed-Hardeman University announced that they had canceled Bill Cosby’s appearance at the Nov. 5 dinner. Author and retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson will speak at the event instead. (See additional details and a statement from the university.)
Comedian Bill Cosby is scheduled to speak at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., an 1,800-student school associated with Churches of Christ.
The university committed to a contract with Cosby several months ago to speak at its 50th Benefit Dinner Dec. 5, university officials said.
Despite ongoing allegations about Cosby’s past, the comedian continues to tour and remains on the schedule at Freed-Hardeman.
University officials released the following statement:
Our 50th FHU Benefit Dinner remains scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, to focus on our main goal — providing an avenue for donors to invest in the students’ lives.We committed to a contract with Bill Cosby many months ago after soliciting input from alumni and friends.While recent developments have drawn attention to our event because of the speaker, we hope that people will remember:1.) this dinner is about helping students, and2.) while we are reading stories in the media, they represent real people whose lives will be affected long after FHU’s dinner has passed.Please join us in praying for healing and peace for those involved.
Cosby has a long history of involvement with higher education and has served as a trustee at his alma mater, Temple University in Philadelphia, since 1982.
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