Speaker Series
Campus Events is responsible for all aspects of the Distinguished Speakers Series. Each year, a diverse group of persons are invited to campus to speak to the campus community on a topic of significance. Past speakers include Ben Stein, Alice Walker, Ken Burns, Soledad O’Brien, Tim Gunn, Frank Warren, Stephen Dubner, Michael Eric Dyson, Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Dr. Ben Carson.
For information on our current events, please visit Upcoming Events.
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 Photo by Michael Neugebauer. Please note: Dr. Goodall does not handle wild chimpanzees. This orphan chimp lives at a sanctuary. |
DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESDEEPAK CHOPRAHealing, Transformation and Higher ConsciousnessThursday, April 12, 20126 p.m.GSU Sports ArenaTime Magazine heralds Deepak Chopra as one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century and credits him as “the poet-prophet of alternative medicine.” Chopra will discuss practical ways to experience higher consciousness, transformation and healing. He will also address such questions as: Are we in the midst of a major paradigm shift in science? Is there an ultimate reality? How does our understanding of consciousness as pure potentiality enhance our capacity for intuition, creativity, conscious choice making, healing and the awakening of dormant potentialities such as non-local communication and non-local sensory experience? Chopra appears in conjunction with the Counseling & Testing Center’s 5th Biennial Cultural Competency Conference. This event is free for all GSU students, faculty and staff with PantherCard ID at the door. All others are $10 at the door. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESKATHRYN STOCKETTAn Afternoon with Kathryn StockettThursday, March 29, 20123 p.m.Student Center BallroomJoin the best-selling author of the acclaimed novel The Help as she shares her experiences with writing the novel, her challenges getting it published and how the book became a hit movie from DreamWorks. Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Miss. After studying English and creative writing at the University of Alabama, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. It was there that she wrote The Help, her first novel. Printed after rejection by close to 50 literary agents, The Help quickly climbed onto the New York Times’ best seller list, where it has remained for more than 100 weeks. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. All guests are encouraged to arrive early for seats. Once the Ballroom is full, guests will be directed to the Speaker’s Auditorium for viewing via live feed. Supported by Student Activity Fees. Download Kathryn Stockett’s Biography. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESJOHN LEGENDAn Afternoon with John LegendMonday, February 20, 20123 p.m.Student Center BallroomJoin Grammy Award winning R&B singer and education activist John Legend as he shares his experiences through lecture and song. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. Supported by Student Activity Fees. Download John Legend's Biography. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESMARK KELLYEndeavor to SucceedWednesday, February 1, 20123 p.m.Student Center BallroomCaptain Mark Kelly faced the toughest challenge of his life in January 2011, when an assassination attempt was made on his wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. His dedication to family and her road to recovery captivated the nation. For Kelly, focus equals success — even in the face of adversity. A combat pilot in Iraq, an astronaut on four space shuttle missions and commander of the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour, Kelly shows audiences how to accomplish their mission while maintaining the love and devotion to family that is the foundation of true success. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. Supported by Student Activity Fees. Download Mark Kelly's Biography. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESLISA LING
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESBILL NYEThe Earth is a Great Home, But We Have to Make Some ChangesMonday, November 14, 20113 p.m.Student Center BallroomToday, Nye is a scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor. He is also a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Supported by Student Activity Fees. Download Bill Nye’s Biography. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESThe Buried Life — Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn & Jonnie PennWednesday, September 21, 20113 p.m.Student Center BallroomThe hit MTV show The Buried Life (TBL) originated in 2006 when four now 20-somethings — Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn — set out in an old RV to complete a list of “100 Things We Want To Do Before We Die,” and help strangers along the way to accomplish something on their own lists. Today, TBL has over 1 million Facebook fans and more than 130,000 Twitter followers. Despite their success, the four stars work to keep the show authentic to their original vision: “Simple and practical things demonstrate that, with creativity and the help of others, a person can accomplish anything — anything is possible.” This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. Supported by Student Activity Fees. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESDavid BaldacciBest-Selling Author and Literacy AdvocateWednesday, March 23, 20113 p.m.Student Center BallroomThe author of more than 15 national and international bestselling novels, an accomplished trial and corporate lawyer and a tireless literacy advocate, David Baldacci discusses his life as an author, the writer’s routine and humorous stories from the road. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESPresident F.W. de KlerkFormer South African President and Nobel Peace Prize WinnerThursday, February 17, 20113 p.m.Student Center BallroomA Nobel Peace Prize winner who led the dismantling of apartheid and release of Nelson Mandela, de Klerk discusses the globalization and the persistence of ethnic and religious conflict and calls upon wealthy nations to aid the underdeveloped world. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. |
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DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIESAlton BrownFood Network Star and Host ofGood EatsTuesday, February 8, 20113 p.m.Student Center BallroomIn his entertaining lecture, "Where the Heck Am I and How Did I Get Here?”, Alton Brown relates how he got his start and how he creates "Good Eats," an offbeat food show that blends wit with wisdom, history with pop culture and science with common cooking sense. The creator and host of the Peabody Award-winning Food Network show will discuss the ideas behind it and the new popularity of food and lifestyle shows. Also the food historian, scientist and commentator for Food Network’s new series "Iron Chef America," Brown tells audiences to follow their passion because doing what you love is always a hit. This event is free, no ticket required, and open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. |
