This semester, the Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series concludes with visits to UB from astronaut Mae Jemison, writer Amy Tan and former New Jersey senator Bill Bradley.
Bill Regan, director of Conferences and Special Events, said the variety of speakers provides UB students with the opportunity to see someone who has made a difference in his or her field of study.
"It is important to allow students to have access to universal people with great credibility," Regan said. "Students need this access to be motivated and influenced to give direction to their life."
In addition, Regan said he wants the speakers to energize students and expose them to new ways of thinking.
"(Our) mission is to serve our students first," he said.
Kristi Schultz, a sophomore double major in English and history, said the Distinguished Speaker Lecture Series has been one of the highlights of her experience at UB.
"I have been to a majority of speakers who have come to UB, and it is a great thing that UB does for its students," said Schultz.
Mae Jemison will hit the Center for the Arts Main Stage on Feb. 27, as part of the UB Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Event. Jemison broke new ground as the first black woman to travel into space. This was followed by many other achievements, ranging from work as a medical officer in the Peace Corps to an induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the National Medical Association Hall of Fame, Regan said.
Jemison was also included among "People" magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" in 1993.
Amy Tan, international best-selling author of "The Joy Luck Club," makes her appearance at UB on March 26 at the CFA Main Stage.
Tan's novel made the New York Times Bestseller List, where it remained for the longest running stretch - eight months - of any novel that year. Regan said Tan will be UB's first Asian speaker in the series.
Amanda Covard, a junior sociology major, said she is excited to see Amy Tan because Tan has been her role model.
"As an Americanized Asian woman, Amy Tan is someone who I look up to because she is an accomplished woman and personifies all that I strive to be," said Covard.
The last speaker of this series is former senator Bill Bradley on April 23.
According to Regan, Bradley's versatile background, which ranges from sports to politics, make him an excellent candidate for the lecture series.
Bradley was captain of the American Olympic Basketball team in 1964 and spent 10 years on the New York Knicks, where he won two NBA championships. He then turned to politics, where he spent 18 years as U.S. senator for New Jersey. Bradley also ran for president during the 2000 elections.
"Bill Bradley would be the person to see because of his rise to senator," said Chris Erckert, a junior business major.
Regan said the Office of Conferences and Special Events is already beginning to scout out possible lecturers for next year's series. Among the possible speakers are Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama, but Regan said no one has been confirmed.
Tickets for the series will be open to the general public. Students can pick up free tickets with proper student ID through the Student Association approximately three weeks before the speaker's scheduled appearance.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
