College & Theater Events

<p>Spencer Wells is a geneticist, anthropologist, author and entrepreneur. For over a decade he was an Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society and Director of the Genographic Project, which collected and analyzed DNA samples from hundreds of thousands of people around the world in order to decipher how our ancestors populated the planet, in the process launching the consumer genomics industry.</p><p>Wells graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas at Austin, received his Ph.D.

<p>Since she was a little girl, Shawn Johnson East dreamed of competing for the United States in the Olympics. By 2008, when she was named to the US Olympics Gymnastics Team, she was already a two-time National Champion, and a World AA Champion.</p>

<p>At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Johnson East helped establish the United States as one of the most talented teams in the world, winning the individual gold medal in the balance beam, and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise, and team categories.</p>

<p>Jay Smooth enlightens with poignant observations about music, race, politics and other important cultural and social issues, while promoting the importance of mutual respect.</p><p>As the former host of <i>The Underground Railroad</i>, New York City’s longest-running hip-hop radio program and the popular video blog, <i>The Ill Doctrine</i>, Jay has established himself as a unique and leading voice at the nexus of sociopolitical issues who brings a singular perspective on society and culture.</p><p>Through thoughtful examination, Jay m

<p>Ben co-founded <em>The Buried Life</em> movement and his message of radical possibility has been featured on <em>The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show,</em> and networks like CNN, FOX, and CBS. </p><p>A decade ago, Ben was knocked off his feet by a heavy depression. To help him feel more alive, he and his three best friends created the world’s greatest bucket list, borrowed a rickety old RV, and crisscrossed North America, achieving the unthinkable.

<p>Dr. Michio Kaku is an internationally recognized authority on theoretical physics and the environment and is co-founder of String Field Theory. Dr. Kaku’s engaging speaking style makes him one of the world’s foremost STEM advocates and science popularizers.</p>

<p>A renowned science expert, Dr. Kaku speaks passionately about topics ranging from teleportation, telepathy, and global climate change to alternative energy, psychokinesis, perpetual motion machines, and a binary star located 8,000 light years away.</p>

<p>T. J. Holmes is an ABC News anchor/correspondent. Joining ABC in December of 2014, he reports for all the network&#39;s broadcasts and platforms. Primarily, Holmes contributes daily to <i>Good Morning America</i>, the most-watched network morning news show. His experience, personality and unique storytelling were a good fit to GMA&#39;s blend of breaking news, in-depth reporting, and family-focused fun. </p>

<p>The real-life inspiration behind ABC&#39;s hit political thriller series "Scandal" starring Kerry Washington, Judy Smith is the US&#39;s premier crisis management expert. As the founder and president of Smith & Company -- a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC -- she uniquely combines her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world.</p>

<p>Lea DeLaria seems to have achieved overnight stardom with her two time, SAG Award winning, stand-out role as ‘Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black’ in the Netflix hit series <i>Orange is the New Black</i>. However, DeLaria’s multi- faceted career as a comedian, actress and jazz musician, has in fact, spanned decades. </p><p>Lea holds the distinction of being the first openly gay comic on television in America which led to countless Television and Film roles portraying Police Lieutenants, PE Teachers and the Lesbian who inappropriately hits on straight women.

<p>E. Cupp is a CNN political commentator and practical conservative with a searing honesty who brings her distinct outlook to CNN programming and special political coverage. </p><p>Cupp most recently hosted CNN&#39;s SE Cupp Unfiltered, a weekly program covering the white-hot intersection of politics and media. Prior to that she led a panel-driven show on HLN that debated contemporary issues impacting the country.

<p>Trans Rights Advocate Geena Rocero, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, is a model, producer, co-host of the TV Show <em>ASPIREist</em> (broadcast on CNN), and the author of memoir <em>Horse Barbie</em>, “a moving chronicle of trans resilience and joy” (<em>Vogue</em>).</p><p>On March 31, 2014, in honor of International Transgender Day of Visibility, Rocero came out as transgender at the annual (main stage) TED Conference, her viral talk has since been viewed more than 4 million times and translated in 32 languages.