The 2007-2008 Distinguished Speaker Series will feature human rights, economics, politics and American and British commentary with six influential figures geared to speak at UB this year.
"This year's slate of speakers represents some of the most intriguing voices of our time, reflecting on topics of critical interest across a very broad spectrum," UB President John B. Simpson said in a press release. "From national politics to global human rights issues, from the provocative to the inspiring."
Award-winning director Michael Moore will be headlining the series, which will open on Saturday, September 29. Moore is best known for his commentary on topics such as gun violence, the current presidential administration and the American health care system in his controversial documentaries. His most noted films are Bowling for Columbine which won and Academy Award for best documentary and Fahrenheit 9/11, which won Best Picture at the 2004 Cannes Festival. Moore's most recent film Sicko opened on June 22, 2007, earning $4.6 million in theatres and has the highest opening weekend for a documentary after Fahrenheit 9/11.
Human rights activist and author of "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" Ishmael Beah will speak on Wednesday, October 24. Beah's past of becoming a child soldier in his native, land of Sierra Leone at the age of 13 prompted the writing of his life story. He was rescued and cared for by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) until he was adopted. Beah is also an advocate for UNICEF, speaking on behalf of the organization as well as the United Nations Secretary General's Office for Children and Armed Conflict.
Economist Steven Levitt, the best selling co-author of "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything," will speak on Wednesday, November 14. Levitt is an Alvin Baum Professor of Economics and director of the Becker Center on Chicago Price Theory at the University of Chicago and is known for applying economics to everyday life. He is noted as one of the most influential economists in American under age 40.
Chairman of the National Democratic Leadership Council and Former US Representative Harold Ford, Jr. will speak on Thursday February 7, 2008 as apart of the 32nd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Event. Ford represented the state of Tennessee in Congress for ten years from 1996-2006, being re-elected four times with an average of 80 percent of the vote. Currently, as well as his current position, he is also a commentator for the Fox New Channel and a visiting professor of public policy at Vanderbilt University.
Best selling author of the Diana Chronicles and Former Editor of Vanity Fair and the New Yorker Tina Brown will speak on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Brown who became an editor at age 25 has worked at several publications including the London Sunday Times, Punch Magazine and Tatler. She also had her own publication called Talk Magazine from 1999-2001.
Tony and Emmy award-winning actor James Earl Jones will speak on Friday, April 4. Jones is best know for his trademark deep voice which exemplified several movie roles such as Darth Vader of "Star Wars" and Mufasa of "The Lion King." He has starred in over 50 movies as well as won several Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
The Distinguished Speaker Series began as a way to bring alumni, friends and the Buffalo community to UB's newer North Campus by headlining provocative educational opportunities not to be anywhere else. Throughout the years, the series has featured noted figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Cosby, Conan O'Brien, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Anderson Cooper and Al Gore and has succeeded in attracting many alumni and friends to campus.
"Our Distinguished Speakers Series has proven to be an ideal forum for addressing the ideas, questions and debates that shape our world, and this year's lineup is no exception," Simpson said in a press release. "Each of these lectures is an opportunity to engage these issues directly with the public intellectuals, artists, and civic leaders driving those conversations today, and each promises to be an unforgettable experience we're proud to share with our larger community."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
