2008 Woodie Awards
Rao gives Speaker Series $20,000 in funding
Committee wants to bring in key figure to campus
By: Michelle Erdmann
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
University President Michael Rao has allocated $20,000 to the Speaker Series for this academic year.
The money will help bring a speaker, or a few, to CMU to speak with students, faculty and area residents.
"This is a very supportive gesture on President Rao's part," said John Fierst, Clarke Historical Library assistant professor and Speaker Series committee chair.
Rao decided to allocate $20,000 last year to the committee, allowing them to bring in the Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark.
Committee members said they hope this year's allocation will allow them to bring another key figure to CMU.
Fierst said given the current fiscal environment, the money will be used wisely and he currently is looking at a number of possibilities for the series.
"Now that the money has been allocated, we can really weigh our options," Fierst said.
Bob Ebner, director of University Events, said the committee has reached a general consensus to bring one major speaker rather than smaller, less heard of speakers.
Ebner said the committee is looking to get regular funding, rather than the yearly allocations, back in the near future.
"We know how it is with the hard budget times," Ebner said.
He said the committee found out about the allocation last week.
"When the president puts money from his office into something it means it's important," said Steve Smith, director of media relations.
Smith said Rao realizes the benefits of the Speaker Series to students and faculty.
"The series is a great way to hear about important issues, which is why he chooses to allocate the money to keep it going," he said.
Montgomery junior Paul Pridgeon, student representative on the committee, said it is nice to have Rao's support.
"We try to bring in a decent speaker that will have an impact on campus," said Pridgeon, who also is the Student Government Association Senate leader and a member of On the Fly Productions.
Chris Brown, Celani Hall multicultural adviser, said he thinks the Speaker Series is a great way to learn about issues.
"If you have it, give it," the Inkster sophomore said, about money.
news@cm-life.com
The money will help bring a speaker, or a few, to CMU to speak with students, faculty and area residents.
"This is a very supportive gesture on President Rao's part," said John Fierst, Clarke Historical Library assistant professor and Speaker Series committee chair.
Rao decided to allocate $20,000 last year to the committee, allowing them to bring in the Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark.
Committee members said they hope this year's allocation will allow them to bring another key figure to CMU.
Fierst said given the current fiscal environment, the money will be used wisely and he currently is looking at a number of possibilities for the series.
"Now that the money has been allocated, we can really weigh our options," Fierst said.
Bob Ebner, director of University Events, said the committee has reached a general consensus to bring one major speaker rather than smaller, less heard of speakers.
Ebner said the committee is looking to get regular funding, rather than the yearly allocations, back in the near future.
"We know how it is with the hard budget times," Ebner said.
He said the committee found out about the allocation last week.
"When the president puts money from his office into something it means it's important," said Steve Smith, director of media relations.
Smith said Rao realizes the benefits of the Speaker Series to students and faculty.
"The series is a great way to hear about important issues, which is why he chooses to allocate the money to keep it going," he said.
Montgomery junior Paul Pridgeon, student representative on the committee, said it is nice to have Rao's support.
"We try to bring in a decent speaker that will have an impact on campus," said Pridgeon, who also is the Student Government Association Senate leader and a member of On the Fly Productions.
Chris Brown, Celani Hall multicultural adviser, said he thinks the Speaker Series is a great way to learn about issues.
"If you have it, give it," the Inkster sophomore said, about money.
news@cm-life.com
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