2008 Woodie Awards
WEB UPDATE: Speaker Series' Rushdie pushes visit back to fall semester
Author's book tour delays appearance
By: Frank Eslinger
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Author Salman Rushdie's April 15 speech will be postponed until the fall 2008 semester.
The Speaker Series Committee scheduled the author, known for his 1988 book "The Satanic Verses," for an April speech, but his upcoming book tour has been moved forward one month.
University Events Director Robert Ebner said Rushdie had to cancel all events planned in April, not just his presentation at CMU.
"He has a new book being published," Ebner said. "His publisher has him on a European book tour, and they are starting a month early."
His new book is titled "The Enchantress of Florence," and is planned for a June release. His tour was originally scheduled to start in May.
John Fierst, Speaker Series chairperson and Charles V. Park Library assistant professor, said the postponing of Rushdie's visit can be positive.
"His new book will be out," Fierst said. "Professors will now have time to include some of his works in their schedules."
Rushdie's appearance will cost about $35,000. Originally, the committee only had $20,000 that it received from University President Michael Rao last semester.
Several offices and departments donated funds to secure Rushdie as a speaker. The remaining $15,000 came from the Provost's Office, College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Communication and Fine Arts, Honor's Program and the Department of Libraries.
See cm-life.com for more breaking news and web updates.
The Speaker Series Committee scheduled the author, known for his 1988 book "The Satanic Verses," for an April speech, but his upcoming book tour has been moved forward one month.
University Events Director Robert Ebner said Rushdie had to cancel all events planned in April, not just his presentation at CMU.
"He has a new book being published," Ebner said. "His publisher has him on a European book tour, and they are starting a month early."
His new book is titled "The Enchantress of Florence," and is planned for a June release. His tour was originally scheduled to start in May.
John Fierst, Speaker Series chairperson and Charles V. Park Library assistant professor, said the postponing of Rushdie's visit can be positive.
"His new book will be out," Fierst said. "Professors will now have time to include some of his works in their schedules."
Rushdie's appearance will cost about $35,000. Originally, the committee only had $20,000 that it received from University President Michael Rao last semester.
Several offices and departments donated funds to secure Rushdie as a speaker. The remaining $15,000 came from the Provost's Office, College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Communication and Fine Arts, Honor's Program and the Department of Libraries.
See cm-life.com for more breaking news and web updates.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Reader
posted 2/13/08 @ 2:42 PM EST
Why doesn't CMU spend $35,000 on speakers who can speak on the '08 election? That would be money better spent.
Rick Lundgren (`96)
posted 2/14/08 @ 12:54 PM EST
The real issue is NOT what was said, but WHO leaked the comments. That is the real criminal.
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