Former Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is the most recently announced public figure to speak at Saint Louis University.

The Great Issues Committee is bringing the former Arkansas governor and commentator from Fox News.

“[Huckabee] is obviously a very important person in U.S. society,” said GIC President Steve Della Camera. “He almost became president, [and he] is an awesome speaker.”

A Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee won eight Republican primary contests in 2008. He earned the third highest vote total in the campaign, behind Sen. John McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney.

Chuck Norris, star of the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” endorsed Huckabee early in the campaign. Norris also appeared in a television commercial supporting Huckabee.

Della Camera said that GIC and Huckabee have not yet agreed on a topic for the speech. He said that they will select a topic of interest as the date approaches.

“[Huckabee] is very well versed in pretty much every current event,” said Della Camera. “We will pick an issue that is timely.”

Kate Sliney, president of SLU College Republicans, said that she believes that “generally there hasn’t been a balance of liberal and conservative” speakers on campus during her four years at SLU.

“I think [that members of College Republicans are] pretty excited that GIC is finally bringing a conservative speaker,” Sliney said.

Huckabee’s speech is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., although GIC has not yet announced a location for the event. It will take place March 25.