Chuck Todd, NBC News’ political director, will be at Southwestern College during the most crucial stages of the fall’s presidential campaign.

Todd will discuss “Politics — 2008 and Beyond” at the second annual Docking Lecture on Leadership and Public Affairs Monday, Oct. 20, at 11 a.m. The event in Richardson Auditorium (located in Christy Administration Building) is free and open to the public.

“Chuck Todd has really stood out in this campaign season with his clear and factual analyses of the nominating processes of both parties,” says SC President Dick Merriman. “He’s now turned his attention to the electoral college map in the presidential election and likely outcomes in the Senate and House of Representatives.  It will be exciting to get his assessment just two weeks before the election.”

Todd, who the Los Angeles Times calls “one of MSNBC's most important players in this memorable political season,” also serves as NBC News’ on-air political analyst for “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” and “Today.”

“A 36-year-old goateed number cruncher who was barely known outside the Beltway a year ago, Todd now has fans who call themselves ‘Chuckolytes’ and a growing profile in the news division, as an almost old-fashioned straight shooter among his highly opinionated colleagues and the shouting heads that dominate cable,” an Aug. 17 profile in the Times said.

In addition to his on-air analysis, Todd is responsible for all aspects of NBC News' political coverage, including maintaining contact with the campaigns and serving as the point person for political news and information. He is also the editor of “First Read,” NBC’s guide to political news and trends in and around Washington, D.C., and writes weekly columns of analysis for MSNBC.com. He is based in NBC News’ bureau in Washington, D.C.

The Docking Lectures on Leadership and Public Affairs are underwritten by William Docking of Arkansas City, Thomas Docking of Wichita, and Union State Bank.  The Docking family has played a prominent role in Kansas government and politics for over half a century.  In 1956, George Docking was elected governor of Kansas.  He served two terms, leaving office in 1961.  His son, Robert Docking, was elected governor in 1966 and served four terms, more than any other Kansas governor, leaving office in 1975.  Robert Docking’s sons have continued the family’s commitment to public service. William Docking was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents in 1995, and served as its chair.  Thomas Docking was lieutenant governor of Kansas from 1983 to 1987, during the governorship of John Carlin.  His wife, Jill Docking, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1996.  She now is vice chair of the Kansas Board of Regents.

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