Topeka ? Former Kansas Gov. John Carlin will share his thoughts about the state’s upcoming 150th anniversary during an appearance this month at Washburn University.

The Topeka school said in a news release that admission is free for the Jan. 28 Kansas Day speech at the Henderson Learning Resources Center.

Carlin served as governor from 1979 to 1987 and is now a visiting professor of political science at Kansas State University.

Carlin has a strong background in history. He served as the archivist of the United States for the National Archives and Records Administration from 1995 to 2005. He was also chairman of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.