Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo will speak at UNLV on March 27 as part of the Barrick Lecture Series.

"Perfecting the Union" will be the topic of his 7:30 p.m. speech in Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be picked up at the Performing Arts Center box office beginning March 18.

Cuomo, 62, served three terms as governor of New York before being defeated last year in his bid for a fourth term.

He was elected New York's 52nd governor in 1982. His re-election figures in both 1986 and 1990 set records for the highest percentage of votes and the highest victory margins of any candidate for second and third four-year gubernatorial terms in New York history.

Born June 15, 1932, Cuomo attended New York City public schools. In 1953, he graduated summa cum laude from St. John's University. When graduating from St. John's University School of Law in 1956, he tied for top-of-the-class honors.

In 1956, he became confidential legal assistant to Judge Adrian P. Burke of the New York State Court of Appeals. He entered private practice in 1958 with the firm of Corner, Weisbrod, Froeb and Charles. Cuomo simultaneously taught at St. John's Law School as an adjunct professor for more than 10 years, and served as chairman of St. John's University Alumni Federation.

In 1975 he was appointed New York's secretary of state by then-Gov. Hugh Carey. In 1978, Cuomo was elected lieutenant governor.

Cuomo is the author of two books. "Diaries of Mario M. Cuomo" chronicles his 1982 gubernatorial campaign. His first book, "Forest Hills Diary: The Crisis of Low-Income Housing," was published by Random House in 1974.

Cuomo is married to the former Matilda Raffa. They have five children.

The Barrick Lecture Series at UNLV presents nationally and internationally known speakers each semester through a grant from philanthropist Marjorie Barrick.

For additional information, call 895-3801.