UT Arlington announces 2011-2012 Maverick Speakers Series
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith and Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will open and close the fourth season of the Maverick Speakers Series at The University of Texas at Arlington. Lectures are free to the public and the campus community.
New this year, patrons may purchase a Premium Seating package for any of the lectures. The package includes a front-of-house seat, reserved parking near the venue, front-of-line access to book-signings and more. Premium Seating packages are $25 and are available at www.utatickets.com. As in seasons past, free general admission tickets also may be obtained at the website.
All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. in Texas Hall unless otherwise noted.
Oct. 20 - Smith kicks off the series; tickets will be available Oct. 3. The celebrated running back led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles in the 1990s and was 2006 champion of the popular reality show “Dancing With the Stars.” He is the National Football League’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards in his 14 seasons (12 with the Cowboys). He was inducted into in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Currently, he is the majority partner and co-chairman of ESmith Legacy Inc., a Dallas-based commercial real estate company.
The Maverick Speakers Series schedule includes:
Nov. 17 - Entrepreneurs and activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The founders of Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, Inc., grew their storefront venture into a $300 million ice cream empire by harnessing the power of social responsibility and creative management. Ben and Jerry will present “An Evening of Entrepreneurial Spirit, Social Responsibility & Radical Business Philosophy.” Guests will receive free ice cream at the lecture.
Feb. 7 - CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien discusses “Diversity in America.” Since joining CNN in 2003, O’Brien has reported breaking news from around the globe and has produced critically acclaimed documentaries on the most important stories facing the world today, including on race, education, diversity, the Royal Wedding, economics, natural disaster and more.
March 6 - Deep sea explorer and oceanographer Robert Ballard discusses “Adventures in Deep Sea Exploration.” Ballard has made some of the most startling undersea discoveries in recent years, both natural and man-made, including finding the wreckage of the Titanic in 1985. Hehas led or participated in more than 65 underwater expeditions, authored 16 books and is the pioneer of the JASON Project that allows schoolchildren to virtually explore the oceans. Ballard’s appearance on campus coincides with the centennial of the Titanic’s sinking.
March 23 - Gov. Jeb Bush closes the season with the first lecture in the new 7,000-seat College Park Center. He will discuss “Achieving Excellence in Education.” Bush served as Florida governor from 1998 to 2007 and is the son of President George H.W. Bush and brother of President George W. Bush. In his two terms as Florida governor, Bush worked to improve Florida’s education system, protect its environment and boost its economy. He now heads the Foundation for Excellence in Education, and his ideas on education reform are garnering national interest.
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution in the heart of North Texas. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.
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Media contact: Kristin Sullivan, Kristinsul@uta.edu, 817-272-5364
The University of Texas at Arlington, www.uta.edu
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