Nader on campus Sept. 27
Activist, former presidential candidate speaks as Ubben lecturer
By: Courtney Hime
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Three-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader will speak at DePauw on Sept. 27 as the first guest of the Timothy and Sharon Ubben lecture series.
Nader's speech "Don't Waste Your 20's! Your Most Creative Decade" will focus on how students can make the most of their years out of college. The Ubben lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium.
Executive Director of Media Relations Ken Owen said he has been scheduling speakers for the Ubben lecture series since May. Owen confirmed Nader's speech and made the announcement Friday afternoon. Owen said Nader's diverse resume would allow him to bring a lot of topics to the table in his speech.
"I hope students are excited about this and I hope that if they don't know much about Ralph Nader, I hope they read up," Owen said. "I do think that a lot of the things he's been involved with throughout his life and to this day resonate with a lot of concerns students have about corporations, about the environment, about politics and the political system and just about the need for basic citizens to be engaged."
Owen said Nader, who ran for president in 1996, 2000 and 2004, is often criticized for taking away decisive votes in both of the last controversial presidential elections. In the question and answer session that will follow the speech, Owen said he hoped Nader would be prompted to address his political activity.
"I think it's exciting to have someone that's so ingrained in recent political history on campus," said junior Emily Tetrault.
Owen said since many people characterize Nader "as someone who has been shaking a tree his entire life" Nader will be likely to address his tendency to go against the grain.
"I think the story of Ralph Nader's life is that you can be an individual," Owen said.
Nader will be the first in what Owen hopes will be several big-name speakers.
"I know we're at a point where we could have three or four really big names on top of Ralph Nader," Owen said, "but a lot of this is just kind of waiting for things to fall into place and I really want to make these things as timely as I can."
Owen said he wants all students, even those who may not share his beliefs, to take advantage of Nader's presence on campus.
"Your universe always expands when you listen to people and it is a remarkable opportunity to be able to hear from some of the people that we bring to campus for free," Owen said.
Nader's speech "Don't Waste Your 20's! Your Most Creative Decade" will focus on how students can make the most of their years out of college. The Ubben lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium.
Executive Director of Media Relations Ken Owen said he has been scheduling speakers for the Ubben lecture series since May. Owen confirmed Nader's speech and made the announcement Friday afternoon. Owen said Nader's diverse resume would allow him to bring a lot of topics to the table in his speech.
"I hope students are excited about this and I hope that if they don't know much about Ralph Nader, I hope they read up," Owen said. "I do think that a lot of the things he's been involved with throughout his life and to this day resonate with a lot of concerns students have about corporations, about the environment, about politics and the political system and just about the need for basic citizens to be engaged."
Owen said Nader, who ran for president in 1996, 2000 and 2004, is often criticized for taking away decisive votes in both of the last controversial presidential elections. In the question and answer session that will follow the speech, Owen said he hoped Nader would be prompted to address his political activity.
"I think it's exciting to have someone that's so ingrained in recent political history on campus," said junior Emily Tetrault.
Owen said since many people characterize Nader "as someone who has been shaking a tree his entire life" Nader will be likely to address his tendency to go against the grain.
"I think the story of Ralph Nader's life is that you can be an individual," Owen said.
Nader will be the first in what Owen hopes will be several big-name speakers.
"I know we're at a point where we could have three or four really big names on top of Ralph Nader," Owen said, "but a lot of this is just kind of waiting for things to fall into place and I really want to make these things as timely as I can."
Owen said he wants all students, even those who may not share his beliefs, to take advantage of Nader's presence on campus.
"Your universe always expands when you listen to people and it is a remarkable opportunity to be able to hear from some of the people that we bring to campus for free," Owen said.
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