Wednesday, July 09, 2003

UNCW 2003-04 Leadership Lecture Series to Begin Sept. 22; Featured Speakers Include Arianna Huffington, Juan Williams

By Rodney Young, PR Intern

Wilmington, NC - The Campus Activities and Involvement Center at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington has announced its 2003-2004 Leadership Lecture Series.

All events are scheduled for Mondays at 7 p.m. in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium, with the exception of Juan Williams, whose lecture is scheduled for Thursday. Each lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

Featured speakers include syndicated columnist, best-selling author and political commentator Arianna Huffington; NPR commentator, award-winning author and professor of Media Culture at NYU Douglas Rushkoff; best-selling author and national political correspondent Juan Williams; human genome expert Dr. Gregory Stock; and editor of Newsweek International Fareed Zakaria.

Arianna Huffington, September 22

“The Call to Leadership”

Arianna Huffington is an impassioned, independent and intrepid advocate for political reform and social awareness. A onetime Republican, she now operates outside the two-party system since concluding that the parties were more interested in servicing the special interests of campaign contributors than the people they were elected to represent. Named one of Washington’s most influential commentators by Newsweek and People, she fearlessly—and entertainingly—exposes what she sees as the corruption of our political system and the bankruptcy of political leadership. Co-sponsored with the Center for Leadership Education and Service.

Douglas Rushkoff, October 27

“Scared Stupid: Why America Resists Media Literacy”

Douglas Rushkoff has become a leading voice in the ongoing debate over who and what shapes our cultural narratives. He explores how communications affect our values and our lives—from how to raise children in a media-driven culture to how to find and impart meaning in business, education and even religion. His PBS Frontline documentary, “The Merchants of Cool,” examined corporations’ massive marketing efforts to capture the elusive quality that drives the annual $100 billion spending power of America’s teenagers. Mr. Rushkoff reaches millions each week with his commentaries on NPR’s All Things Considered as well as his syndicated column and regular articles and TV appearances. Co-sponsored with the Student Media Board.

Juan Williams, January 22

MLK Commemorative Speaker

“Eyes on the Prize: The Truths of American Race Relations”

During his twenty-one years with The Washington Post, Juan Williams has been an editorial writer, op-ed columnist, White House reporter, political analyst and national correspondent. He has won an Emmy Award for TV documentary writing and widespread critical acclaim for a series of documentaries including Politics: The New Black Power. He authored the nonfiction bestseller Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Year, 1954-1965 as well as Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary, whose life and work is a window into the civil rights movement. Mr. Williams’ lecture is particularly timely as we celebrate fifty years since Brown vs. the Board of Education. Presented by the Office of Campus Diversity.

Dr. Gregory Stock, February 2

“Enhancing the Human: Genomics, Science Fiction, & Ethics Collide”

Director at the UCLA School of Medicine and a recognized expert on the implications of the Human Genome Project and related technologies, Dr. Gregory Stock explores questions ranging from designer babies to the retardation of aging, speaking about these complex issues in an understandable way. He is author of the best-selling Book of Questions and several other books about science, ethics and human behavior. Co-sponsored with the Honors Scholars Program.

Fareed Zakaria, March 29

“Globalization: The Next Phase”

Widely recognized for his ability to spot economic and political trends around the world, Fareed Zakaria has developed an international reputation as a global thinker. Describing him as “the most influential foreign policy advisor of his generation,” Esquire named him “one of the 21 most important people of the 21st century.” Dr. Zakaria is editor of Newsweek International and since 2001 has overseen Newsweek’s eight editions throughout Asia, Latin America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

Box Office and Ticket Information

Tickets are $6 for the public and free for UNCW students, faculty, and staff, with the exception of the Juan Williams lecture which is free to the general public. Leadership Lecture Series tickets are available now at Kenan Auditorium.

For information contact the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at 800/732-3643 or 910/962-3500, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To request a season brochure, telephone the Campus Activities & Involvement Center at 910/962-3827 or visit www.uncw.edu/stuaff/arts.

For information on the series or to request black/white and/or color photography of 2003-2004 speakers, please contact Shannon Hooker, assistant director for programs and marketing at 910/962-7600 or hookers@uncw.edu.

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