The Speaker Series is open to the public by subscribing to the Series. The lectures are held on seven different evenings, from September through April.
Become a subscriber to the Pittsburgh Speakers Series to guarantee your seats to all 7 performances. You will have the chance to interact with each speaker, as each event will conclude with a question and answer session. Please note that the Pittsburgh Speakers Series is only sold by subscription to the entire series - single tickets to individual lectures will not be sold.
The speakers for the 2008-2009 season, which begins this Fall, 2008 are:
STEVE FORBES
Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine and Former Presidential Candidate
October 1, 2008 - Wednesday, 8pm
CEO of Forbes, Inc and Forbes
Magazine. An influential progrowth
advocate and economic
forecaster, he is one of the most
respected businessmen of our
time. A visionary and expert
economist, he explores the most
compelling global business issues
of the day. A two-time presidential
candidate, he recently authored Flat Tax Revolution: Using A
Postcard to Abolish the IRS.
PAUL RUSESABAGINA
Courageous Humanitarian of Hotel Rwanda
November 5, 2008 - Wednesday, 8pm
As the Republic of Rwanda descended into genocidal chaos, one fearless hotel manager made the decision to protect the family he loved, and in the process he found the courage to risk his life to save more than 1,200 strangers from what would be certain death. His inspiring real-life story was portrayed in the Academy Award nominated film Hotel Rwanda.
GARRISON KEILLOR
Humorist and Radio Host of A Prairie Home Companion
December 3, 2008 - Wednesday, 8pm
Often referred to as the "Mark
Twain of our times", this beloved
American figure and cultural icon
is the voice of enlightenment,
reason and gentle humor. He
can be heard weekly on NPR as
a writer and host of his show,
A Prairie Home Companion which was also featured in the
recent film by the same name. He
has 12 books the latest of which,
Pontoon, was released in 2007.
ANNA QUINDLEN
Pulitzer Prize Winning Columnist and Bestselling Author
January 28, 2009 - Wednesday, 8pm
This prolific Pulitzer Prize
winning columnist and bestselling
author was only the 3rd
woman to write for the op-ed
page of The New York Times.
She writes the Last Word column for Newsweek, and her
latest novel, Rise and Shine,
published in 2006, debuted at
#1 on the New York Times bestsellers lists, joining her
four other bestselling novels.
BOB WOODWARD
Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalist and Prolific Author
March 4, 2009 - Wednesday, 8pm
This two-time Pulitzer Prize
winning reporter is referred
to by his peers as "the best
pure reporter of his generation."
His relentless investigative
drive and access to top
political insiders has resulted
in fascinating insights into
the highest levels of
Washington. He has 11 #1
non-fiction bestsellers to
his credit.
JANE GOODALL
Wildlife Protector and Environmental Conservationist
March 25, 2009 - Wednesday, 8pm
For nearly 50 years, Dr. Goodall has been studying and protecting wildlife the world over, with a special emphasis on chimpanzees and other primates. She has become a world renowned conservationist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, designed to advance the power of individuals to improve the environment for all living things.
DAVID MCCULLOUGH
Renowned Historian and Pulitzer Prize Winning Author
April 22, 2009 - Wednesday, 8pm
Two-time winner of the Pulitzer
Prize and the National Book
Award for his biographies,
Truman and John Adams,
he has been called "a National
Treasure". His most recent book,
1776, received rave reviews.
A gifted and hugely popular
speaker, he has narrated several
PBS documentaries, including
the Civil War, Napoleon and
the motion picture Seabiscuit.
