DENTON (UNT), Texas - H. Ross Perot, founder of EDS and Perot Systems Corp., will deliver the keynote address in November at the annual Leadership Luncheon in Dallas, benefiting the Murphy Enterprise Center.

Also at the luncheon, Nelson Bunker Hunt, who has led worldwide operations in oil and gas and other industries, will be honored with the 2006 Murphy Award for a lifetime of achievement in entrepreneurship.

The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Fairmont Hotel, 1717 N. Akard St. in Dallas. Cost is $1,500 for a table for 10 or $175 for individual tickets. For more information about the luncheon or the Murphy Enterprise Center, visit www.MurphyCenter.unt.edu or contact the center at (940) 565-2848.

"Mr. Perot has a unique ability to motivate others," said Eileen Curry Resnik, director of the Murphy Enterprise Center. "He exudes passion and enthusiasm and has a great down-to-earth presentation style. Those that have heard him speak before are excited to have him deliver the keynote speech for us this year."

Perot founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962 with a $1,000 loan from his wife and later created Perot Systems Corp. He ran for president of the United States in 1992 and 1996 and has received numerous awards for his business success and community service, including the Winston Churchill Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the National Business Hall of Fame Award and The Eisenhower Award.

Perot received last year's Murphy Award, given to winners based on business growth, entrepreneurial spirit, integrity, leadership and contributions to business and community. Past recipients also include Sam Wyly, founder of Ranger Capital Group and chairman of Michaels Stores; Bill Winspear, founder of Associated Materials; and Ebby Halliday, founder of Ebby Halliday Realtors.

Hunt - this year's Murphy Award winner - followed his family into the business of oil and gas exploration, later launching his own business in the field. He has served as chairman of the board of Hunt Energy Corporation, Hunt Electronics Corporation and Hunt International Resources Corporation and has been inducted into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Hunt is also past chairman of the board of the Texas Bible Society, past chairman of the executive committee of the HERE'S LIFE Campaign for the Campus Crusade for Christ International and an elder emeritus at his church.

"Mr. Hunt was selected as the Murphy Award winner because of his extraordinary success in business," Resnik said. "Whatever Mr. Hunt has done, he has been the very best at it. From oil and gas exploration, to mining, to thoroughbred racing, Mr. Hunt's success in business is undeniable."

The Leadership Luncheon helps raise money for scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship.

"The Leadership Luncheon provides a perfect vehicle for the center to highlight the successes of our entrepreneurial students before the very best of the Dallas/Fort Worth community," Resnik said. "Proceeds from the luncheon provide scholarships as well as educational and experiential programs for students to learn about entrepreneurship."

About the Murphy Enterprise Center

The Murphy Enterprise Center opened its doors in 2000 with a $1 million donation from Ken and the late Shirley Murphy, founders and owners of The Mail Box. The center encourages entrepreneurship by providing students with business counseling, mentoring and training opportunities that help them turn ideas into viable business entities.

UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Ellen Rossetti (940) 369-7912
Email: erossetti@unt.edu