UA's annual Forum Series is bringing a variety of speakers, including former ambassador to China Jon Huntsman and actor John Lithgow, to the University's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall this academic year. Tickets cost $10 each for the general public, $8 for UA faculty and staff and seniors, and $6 for UA students. For tickets, call the Thomas Hall ticket office at 330-972-7570 or visit uaevents.com.
Coming up next:
Jon Huntsman
Jon Huntsman, former presidential candidate, governor of Utah and ambassador to China from 2009 through April, 2011, will speak about "U.S. – China Relations in an Election Year" on Monday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Huntsman’s breadth of experience in Asia has been developed over a lifetime of interest and involvement. He has previously lived in Asia four times and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. He is a founding director of the Pacific Council on International Policy. Huntsman’s talk is sponsored by the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, UA's Office of Equity and Inclusion, Confucius Institute, Culture Quest and Thomas Hall.
Wes Moore
Wes Moore, author of "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, the Consequences of Personal Responsibility," will speak on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. This is UA's "First Year Lecture" and is free to students with a ticket. The talk is sponsored by New Student Orientation.
A youth advocate and now author, Moore tells the true story of two kids with the same name, living in the same inner city. One grows up to be a Rhodes Scholar, a decorated combat veteran and a business leader; the other is serving a life sentence. Their two stories demonstrate the consequences of personal responsibility and the importance of education and community for a generation of boys searching for their way.
Dr. Terry Gordon
Cardiologist Terry Gordon will present "The Wounded Healer" on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m. His talk is sponsored by E. J. Thomas Hall and Summa Health System.
One of Gordon's missions in life is saving the lives of children by spearheading a national campaign called The Josh Miller HEARTS Act, which will place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in every school in the country.
After tragedy struck his family, leaving his son paralyzed from an automobile accident, Gordon's journey resulted in a spiritual awakening to a clearer understanding of life and the truths it has to offer.
The journey also inspired his first book, "No Storm Lasts Forever: Transforming Suffering Into Insight." Now retired from the practice of cardiology, Gordon's purposeful life is to continue serving and sharing his insight to what we all desire: spiritual peace.
When the UA Forum series resumes in 2013, the following speakers are scheduled:
- Michelle Alexander, New York Times best-selling author and civil rights lawyer, will present, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
- John Walsh of America's Most Wanted fame will speak about "Living Life with a Mission" on Wednesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m.
- Award-winning actor and one-time Akronite John Lithgow will present "The Power of Storytelling" on Thursday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. Lithgow's presentation is sponsored by UA's Mary Schiller Myers Lecture series.
In its 18th season, The University of Akron Forum Series brings major speakers to the University and the Northeast Ohio community. The series is supported by the Office of the President and the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.
Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.