Best-selling author and columnist Jane Hampton Cook will be the featured speaker during Howard Payne University’s chapel services on Wednesday, October 7 at First Baptist Church, Brownwood.

Cook is the author of three books including: Stories of Faith and Courage from the Revolutionary War, Maggie Houston: My Father’s Honor and The Faith of America’s First Ladies. Currently, Cook is also coauthoring the upcoming book, Stories of Faith and Courage from Iraq (Battlefields & Blessings Series, 2009), with Dr. John Croushorn and Jocelyn Green.

A former webmaster for President George W. Bush from 1998-2003, she served two years as White House deputy director of Internet news services and three years in the Texas governor’s office.  As an American historian, Cook is also a frequent guest on the Fox News Channel.

“We are so pleased to be able to have Jane Cook on campus to speak to students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. Brad Johnson, vice president for enrollment and student services.  “Her education, professional experience and distinctively Christian faith, afford our campus a unique glimpse into the lives of historical and present day American political figures, including elements of their faith and political ideology,” Johnson added.

Cook’s columns have been featured in The Washington Times, Boston Herald, Alexandria Times, and many other newspapers.

Earning her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, she went on to earn a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. She now makes her home in Vienna, Virginia, with her husband, Dr. John Kim Cook, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official, and their sons.