Interim President Lou Hencken will speak about Eastern’s progress for this Friday’s Chamber of Commerce Fourth Friday Luncheon.

“We chose Lou because he has recently been reinstated as Eastern’s president for several years and we would like to hear his plans and what he has to say about the University,” said executive director Cindy Titus.

Titus said commerce members are interested in President Hencken’s ideas for Eastern’s progress in the next few years.

“At least 30 Chamber of Commerce representatives are expected to attend,” Titus said.

The luncheons take place every fourth Friday six months out of the year and were started by the Charleston’s Chamber of Commerce in 1996.

Originally, the luncheons were held because not all members could attend evening functions, Titus said.

“It’s just another venue to bring members together,” she said.

Keeping members and the public up to date with timely topics is the idea behind hosting the luncheons. The lunch is open to any community members as well as Chamber members.

However, most luncheons require advance reservations.

The luncheon is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. Food will be served shortly thereafter, and President Hencken is scheduled to begin speaking at 12:30 p.m.

There will be a will be a short question and answer session following Hencken’s speech.