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Ken Langone<\/p><\/div>\n
Langone is the author of \u201cI Love Capitalism: An American Story,\u201d a book the Wall Street Journal described as part memoir and part free-market manifesto. The book was published in May and listed on The New York Times bestseller list by June.<\/p>\n
Langone has said he was inspired to write the book after seeing young people supporting Bernie Sanders in the 2016 presidential campaign and an embrace of democratic socialism. He wanted to \u201cdefend the American Dream\u201d and express his views on how to obtain it. \u201cThe thing I can\u2019t say and never will say is that I\u2019m self-made,\u201d Langone writes in his book. He describes how hard work, good luck and a willingness to help other people can combine to make success possible.<\/p>\n
Langone was born to Italian-American working class parents in Roslyn Heights, New York. His career in finance began as a salesman, matching business ideas with financiers. In 1974, he started his own investment firm and in 1979 helped launch Home Depot. By 1989, Home Depot was the nation\u2019s largest home improvement store and today has more than 400,000 employees.<\/p>\n
The new Distinguished Lecture Series is designed to engage the campus and community in dialogue on national issues, with perspectives from leading figures in education, arts and music, politics, business and economics. The series is co-sponsored by WCU\u2019s\u00a0Division of Academic Affairs<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Center for the Study of Free Enterprise<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited to host Mr. Langone for this installment of the Distinguished Lecture Series,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cMr. Langone has a long history of philanthropy and I\u2019m confident his positive message of hope and opportunity through economic freedom will resonate with an audience at WCU. The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise is very proud to be able to help bring Mr. Langone and the rest of the distinguished lecturers to the students, faculty and community at WCU.\u201d<\/p>\n Upcoming speakers are Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee chair, former Maryland lieutenant governor and conservative political commentator, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 5-6 p.m. at Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center; and Cristina Henr\u00edquez, author of \u201cThe Book of Unknown Americans,\u201d WCU\u2019s One Book selection and The New York Times\u2019 Notable Book of 2014, Thursday, March 21, 7:30-9 p.m. at the A.K. Hinds University Center Grandroom.<\/p>\n