Distinguished Speaker Series

Penn State's Distinguished Speaker Series Committee (DSS), which originated in the 1960s, answers the university's need to expose students to nationally and internationally well-known individuals and call attention to pertinent regional, national, and global issues. Committee-sponsored speakers come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including the political arena, the entertaininment industry, the arts and literature circles, the sports world, and many more. The committee -- composed of a committee head, a faculty advisor, and about 9 other members -- meets regularly to discuss prospective speaker ideas and planning for upcoming lectures.

I applied for a DSS position after riveting lectures from CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien and Dr. Ruth Westheimer. I was appointed to the DSS committee in April 2005 as the only freshman (rising sophomore) admitted for the 2005-2006 academic year. While a member of the committee, the following speakers have lectured on the University Park campus for the series:

Steve Forbes
Business mogul/Former presidential candidate
April 14, 2005

James Earl Jones
World-renowned actor
September 26, 2005

Cal Ripken, Jr.
Major League Baseball's record-holder for most consecutive games played
October 27, 2005

Jim Lovell
Astronaut on several Gemini and Apollo missions
January 25, 2006

Yolanda King
Daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
February 20, 2006

Nadine Strossen vs. Pat Buchanan
President of the ACLU, well-known pundit and former Presidential candidate
September 27, 2006

General Richard Myers
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
October 7, 2006

Jeff Corwin
Conservationalist and television personality
October 25, 2006

LeVar Burton
Star of "Roots" and "Reading Rainbow"
January 29, 2007

Madame Jehan Sedat
Activist and former first lady of Egypt
February 15, 2007