Third Presidential Lecture & Performance Series Provides Entertainment, Education
for All
August 7, 2008
By: John Davis
This fall, words and music will dominate Texas Tech University's 2008 Presidential
Lecture & Performance Series.
This fall, words and music will dominate Texas Tech University's 2008 Presidential
Lecture & Performance Series as organizers hope this year's fall season will not only
build upon last year's success, but also expand the series' appeal to campus and community
alike.
"In the third year, we've continued to seek programs with a broad appeal," said Mary
Jane Hurst, performance series organizer and faculty assistant to the president. "We're
going to continue to get all parts of the campus involved by seeking events with specific
academic connections. That is how the series is different from just an entertainment
venue."
Hurst said the series seeks to enrich the lives of Texas Tech students, faculty, staff
and citizens of the Lubbock community. For more information, visit www.presidentialseries.ttu.edu.
The events are:
- Author David Callahan and "The Cheating Culture" - 3:30 p.m., Sept. 8, the Allen
Theatre, located in the Student Union Building at 15th Street and Akron Avenue.Callahan has written extensively about American history,
business and public policy. He is author of "The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead." This event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School through funding from the Helen
Jones Foundation, and presented in support of TTU's Ethics Initiative, which is part
of the Quality Enhancement Plan for SACS accreditation.Callahan will sign books from
2-3 p.m. outside the Allen Theatre. Free and open to the public.
- "From the Top with Christopher O'Riley"- 7 p.m., Sept. 16, the Allen Theatre, located
in the Student Union Building at 15th Street and Akron Avenue.Heard locally on KOHM, "From the Top with Christopher O'Riley"
will tape a performance of outstanding young musicians to broadcast nationally at
a later date. O'Riley has redefined the possibilities of classical music through media,
contemporary music and innovative programming. In addition to hosting this show and
appearing with top orchestras and festivals around the world, O'Riley also is an interpreter
of some of the most important contemporary popular music of our time. This event is
presented in partnership with KOHM. Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for general
admission, which does not include a $2 surcharge from Select-A-Seat. For reservations,
call Select-A-Seat at (806) 770-2000.
- Marc-André Hamelin, Pianist -7:30 p.m., Oct. 19, Hemmle Recital Hall in the Music
Building on the Texas Tech campus. French-Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin's flourishing
international career sees him appearing throughout North America, Europe and the Far
East. He won first place at the 1985 Carnegie Hall Competition and has become one
of the most acclaimed pianists in the United States. He made his name playing rare
and adventurous repertoire, and now his output also embraces music from the classical
and romantic periods. A reception follows the event. Tickets are $20 for general admission
and $3 for students, which does not include a $2 surcharge from Select-A-Seat. For
reservations, call Select-A-Seat at (806) 770-2000.
- Presidential Book Award Winners Panel - 3:30 p.m., Oct. 28, the Matador Room of the
Student Union Building at 15th Street and Akron Avenue. The three most recent recipients of the Presidential Book
Award will talk about their work and their award-winning books in a panel discussion.
Panelists are first-place winner Michael Borshuk, author of "Swinging the Vernacular: Jazz and African-American Modernist Literature;" John Beusterien, who tied for second place withStefan Estreicher. Beusterien wrote "An Eye on Race: Perspectives from Theater in Imperial Spain," and Estreicher is the
author of "Wine from Neolithic Times to the 21st Century." Authors will sign books following the event. The event is free and open to the public.
CONTACT: Mary Jane Hurst, faculty assistant to the president, Texas Tech University, (806)742-2121 or maryjane.hurst@ttu.edu.