College & Theater Events

<p>Anderson Cooper takes audiences inside the news of the day, sharing sometimes provocative yet always eye-opening insights on the stories impacting people and issues around the world.</p><p>As the anchor of the Emmy-winning CNN news program Anderson Cooper 360°, he brings the most pressing stories of the day to a worldwide audience from multiple perspectives.

<p>Named one of the top 50 political commentators in America by<em> The Atlantic magazine,</em> Jonah Goldberg’s informed and thoughtful perspectives spark indispensable dialogue and debate. He was a Fox News contributor for over a decade. In 2021 he left Fox News to become a political commentator for CNN.</p><p>Jonah is the former Senior Editor of <em>National Review magazine, </em>a nationally syndicated columnist, and co-founder of <em>The Dispatch,</em> a new media platform he launched in October (2019) with Steve Hayes.

<p>One of the most recognized leaders of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement, gay rights activist and diversity speaker Elizabeth Birch served as executive director of the Human Rights Campaign for over a decade.</p><p>During her tenure, the organization quadrupled in size to become the leading civil rights organization of its kind. Birch has also served as worldwide director of litigation for Apple Computer, Inc.

Keith Boykin is a national political commentator, TV and film producer, New York Times best-selling author, and a former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. His latest books are Race Against Time: The Politics of a Darkening America (2021), Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom (2022) and Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race? (2024).

<p>Drawing from his 30 years of political service, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle provides a balanced, informed look at the future of government, business, and civic life.</p><p>Senator Tom Daschle is one of the nation’s most respected voices on leadership, public policy, and the inner workings of Congress.

<p>Long known as a speaker who inspires with narratives that demonstrate the power of one, Kerry Kennedy addresses sustainable investments, social change, and the capacity of the human spirit to thrive despite overwhelming obstacles.  </p>

<p>History-making NASA astronaut and the extraordinary subject of a forthcoming feature documentary, <em>Spacewoman</em>, Eileen Collins reveals encouraging perspective and insight on the leadership skills needed to break barriers and become a successful pioneer in your field.</p><p>One of America’s most admired women, Col. Collins became the first female to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight in 1995, and the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia shuttle flight. In 2005, NASA tapped Col.

From the pages of her #1 New York Times best-selling book and the critically-acclaimed recently released film, Jeannette Walls moves you to realize the power of the human spirit as she inspires courage in the face of new and longstanding fears, and reveals how our weaknesses can be our greatest strengths.

<p>Celebrated for her compelling storytelling and in-depth reporting, Soledad O’Brien shares with audiences her thought-provoking insights on media, race, class, and socioeconomic issues—and how the power of our stories can drive change. </p><p>Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, philanthropist, and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues.

<p>Jeff is a teller of stories, developer of messages, and architect of social solutions who’s as comfortable in front of the camera as he is behind the scenes developing strategy and messages for his clients. </p>