UB's upcoming Distinguished Speakers Series, now in its 16th year, will feature a range of nationally known figures, from a best selling author to Time Magazine's "Person of the Year".
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and NBC's "Today" show co-host Katie Couric are headlining this year's series, with additional lectures given by physician and former astronaut Mae Jemison, best-selling author Amy Tan and former senator and presidential candidate Bill Bradley.
William J. Regan, director of conferences and special events, is pleased with this year's lineup.
"I like it a lot," said Regan. "We were able to get strong speakers who are right in the middle of their careers."
Regan said his office, with help from sponsors the Student Association and the Graduate Student Association, has been "able to deliver speakers the students will be willing to see." He thinks students will respond well to the speakers, noting that the box office has already received a high volume of calls for tickets.
Regan said he hopes the response to Giuliani and Couric's speeches will equal that of former President Bill Clinton when he spoke last April as a "Student Choice" speaker. Although not officially part of last year's series, Clinton's speech drew a crowd of 7,500, the vast majority of which were students.
Giuliani will receive his usual speaking fee of approximately $100,000, according to Regan, who expects the lecture to draw the series' largest crowd to Alumni Arena on Nov. 13.
"I saw Clinton last April," said Justin Wetter, a cognitive psychology graduate student. "I hope I can get tickets to see Giuliani because his speech should be pretty interesting. Of all of the people coming to UB this year, his speech is the one I am most interested in going to."
While his two terms as mayor of New York City were not without controversy, Giuliani's stock as a public official rose significantly in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, earning him the title of "Person of the Year" by Time Magazine and honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
Couric co-funded the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance in an effort to raise awareness of the disease, which killed her husband. Her Oct. 11 speech in Alumni Arena is expected to draw a large crowd based on the popularity of the "Today" show.
Jemison, who will present the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Event on Feb. 27 in the Center for the Arts, was the first African-American woman to go into space. After leaving NASA, Jemison created the Jemison Group Inc., which focuses on incorporating technology into everyday lives.
Tan, author of best sellers such as "The Joy Luck Club" and "The Bonesetter's Daughter," will take the stage of the CFA on March 26.
Former professional athlete turned politician Bradley will speak at the CFA on April 23.
Regan said the Distinguished Speakers Series lineup was chosen with the help of significant input from students, acquired using data from many sources, including audience polls and online surveys.
Regan said tickets for Couric's speech should be available beginning in mid-September at the CFA box office. While tickets for the upcoming lectures are on sale now at the CFA box office, students may be able to obtain tickets free of charge from student organizations, including SA and GSA.
