Southeast Missouri State University's annual speaker series promises talks on a variety of subjects delivered by speakers from entertainment, business, government and other fields.

Included in the six-speaker lineup are actor Michael J. Fox, two-time MVP of the NFL and former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and journalist Lisa Ling.

According to Dennis Holt, the university's vice president for enrollment management and student success, all three will give presentations with inspirational themes.

"They will deliver messages of personal development and strength," Holt said.

Ling will kick off the series at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Show Me Center, where according to a university news release she will share her experiences as a reporter, war correspondent and host of a television show. Ling was scheduled to speak during last year's series, but had to cancel due to a scheduling conflict.

After Ling comes Fox at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Show Me Center. His presentation, titled "Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist," is named after his recent best-selling book. Fox's presentation will include experiences from his childhood, his acting career and his ongoing experience battling Parkinson's disease.

While Holt said he expects good attendance at both events, he said he thinks Warner's appearance could draw another kind of sports-minded crowd.

Warner's presentation is called "All Things Possible!" and will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Show Me Center.

Holt said he thinks an event that sold out last year, the university's Martin Luther King Jr. sit-down dinner, will be again popular during this series. The dinner this year will feature a keynote address from L. Douglas Wilder, the country's first African-American governor. The dinner will be at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Show Me Center.

Two speakers, Scrubs & Beyond CEO and president Karla Bakersmith, and author and workplace consultant Clinton Taulbert will present at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15 in the Glenn Auditorium in Dempster Hall as part of the university's Business and Enterprenuership Week.

The speaker closing the series at 7:30 p.m. April 3 at the Show Me Center will be Bill Nye, also called "the Science Guy." Nye is well-known as the host of several television series including the Science Channel's "100 Greatest Discoveries," and a PBS's "The Eyes of Nye."

Holt said bringing the speakers to the university is a long process and involves working with the student government to compile lists of speakers the students would be interested in hearing and checking whether the speakers are feasible choices.

Tickets are required for the Ling, Fox, Warner and Nye events. Tickets for the Ling and Fox events will be available at 10 a.m. Monday. Tickets for the Warner and Nye events will go on sale at a later date. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets and the Show Me Center box office. All events are free for current university faculty, staff and students with a valid ID. Tickets can be picked up in Room 202 of the University Center, the Center for Student Involvement or the Show Me Center box office.

Tickets for the King dinner event featuring Wilder are $15 and must be purchased in advance.

The Bakersmith and Taulbert events are free.

eragan@semissourian.com

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