Since the start of the Ubben Lecture Series in 1986, only three alumni have been on the long list of speakers.
Bret Baier '92 will be the fourth.
Baier will speak in Kresge Auditorium in the Green Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday at 10 a.m as part of the Ubben Lecture Series.
Baier, who is currently the host of the Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier, was an English composition and political science double major.
Baier's speech, according to Ubben Lecture Series Coordinator Ken Owen '82, is part of an attempt to "re-energize Old Gold weekend."
"People don't realize that back in the 50s, 60s, 70s and probably even further back than that, [Old Gold] was the big weekend on campus," Owen said. "It was a big big deal."
Owen believes that a speaker on Old Gold weekend will be a regular feature in the future.
"I think our goal going forward will be to have some speaker on Old Gold weekend just so there is that added incentive for people to come back," Owen said. "What we're trying to do is add a little luster to Old Gold weekend."
Owen noted that he thinks the dedication of the new football field to former coach Nick Mourouzis will help make Old Gold bigger this year as well. However, he is concerned that the time of Baier's speech will result in a smaller crowd than usual for the Ubben Lecture Series.
"Saturday morning at 10 [a.m.] is a tricky time," Owen said. "The problem, obviously, is if we have it later in the morning, it would be right up against the football game and all the luncheons and things. If you have it after the football game, [students] have things going on on campus. And, [then] it's Saturday night, and it's hard to get a crowd for that."
As a result, doors will open at the same time for both students and the general public.
"I think we'll have a good crowd, but we should have plenty of room," Owen said.
Sophomore Hattie Blair does not think that the time will be an issue.
"I think that the people that want to come will come," Blair said.
Owen also noted that there has not been as much push back as there has been for previous speakers.
"I think everybody at DePauw, whether you watch Fox News or not, is proud of the fact that we've got someone from our team, essentially, doing the job that he's doing in such a high profile venue," Owen said. "I think one of the great things alumni bring back to this campus is affirmation that this experience does produce great results."
Senior Shelby Beasley said that the reason she is excited to hear him speak is because she has the same double major as Baier.
"It's kind of cool to see the trajectory of a DePauw grad, especially with English majors," Beasley said.
Owen thinks it will be inspiring for some students.
"The fact is, you can be Bret [Baier]. Your roommate can be Bret [Baier]. Anybody can be Bret [Baier]," Owen said. "Here's a guy that walked to classes the same way you guys do."