Topics: Speakers, Student Affairs
September 4, 2012
Robert Gibbs
Robert Gibbs, a longtime adviser to President Obama, and Liz Cheney, former counselor to President George W. Bush, will debate the most pressing economic and political issues facing the country Oct. 1 when they visit Ball State University.
"Point/Counterpoint" will occur as millions of Americans are just a few weeks away from going to the polls to decide the 2012 U.S. presidential election. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium.
The debate highlights Ball State's annual lineup of fall speakers that also include freelance writer Kelsey Timmerman, social entrepreneur Kohl Crecelius, television host David Lipschitz and a joint appearance by Inc. magazine's Donna Fenn and ABC Family's Jake Sasseville.
The Gibbs-Cheney debate is part of Ball State's Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series and provides a rare opportunity for students to interact with two presidential advisers, said, Mitch Isaacs, Ball State's associate director of student life.
"Gibbs and Cheney will offer contrasting, yet highly credible, insights," he said. "This program is designed to help audience members explore the issues and challenges facing our nation. I can't think of a better primer to help our students prepare for Election Day."
For two years, Gibbs spent every day in the Oval Office at President Obama's side. Each afternoon, he spoke to the press and the American people about every aspect of the administration's policies and issues that crossed the president's desk.
During the Bush administration, Cheney served as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, where she established and managed programs to empower women and bring economic, political and educational reform to the Arab world.
Other presentations, which are free and open to the public, include:
- Kelsey Timmerman, a freelance writer and speaker who focuses on globalization, travel and what it means to be a citizen in a world of clashing cultures, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in Emens Auditorium. For his book "Where Am I Wearing?"— this year's Freshman Common Reader — Timmerman traveled the world to find out where his clothes came from.
- As the speaker for the John P. McGovern Lecture Series, Muncie native Judy Nolan Van de Water will address the most up-to-date research in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom. A member of the MIND (Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) Institute, the lab pursues research programs pertaining to autoimmune and clinical immune-based disorders, including the biological aspects of ASD.
- Social entrepreneur Kohl Crecelius will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in Pruis Hall. He is the chief executive officer of Krochet Kids, a nonprofit he co-founded with his two best childhood friends. A leader in producing and selling products made in Africa, Krochet Kids focuses on empowering communities and engaging customers to make a sustainable impact on global poverty. The presentation is part of the Excellence in Leadership Speaker Series.
- The speaker for the Kirkpatrick Lecture at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Alumni Center is David Lipschitz, an award-winning television host. He will discuss innovative approaches to growing older, focusing on health maintenance and disease prevention. Lipschitz's company, Dr. David Enterprises, develops new avenues for health education and empowerment.
- The David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series features Inc. magazine's Donna Fenn and ABC Family's Jake Sasseville. "The Jake and Donna 'End of the World' Tour (that starts and ends in Muncie)" begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 in Pruis Hall. They will discuss media, marketing and how today's news professionals are redefining the way business is done.
- Artists John Drury and Robbie Miller will give the Visiting Glass Artists Lecture and Demonstration at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Art and Journalism Building Atrium Gallery. A demonstration will follow immediately after the lecture at the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass. Drury and Miller have worked together as the collaborative team known as CUD for 24 years. They have traveled to teach students throughout the world.
By Marc Ransford, Senior Communications Strategist