The Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium (MSE) chairs have announced their fall line-up of speakers, who make up an impressive array of the news media and political elite.
So far, the chairs have confirmed Bob Woodward, Oliver North, Charlton Heston, Howard Zinn, Ben Stein, Greta van Susteren, Representative Barney Frank, Lani Guinier and Senator Russ Feingold as speakers for this fall's symposium. All will discuss various issues surrounding the themes of media and politics,
Both chairs agreed that it is important to have a broad range of political ideologies represented by the speakers to appeal to the student population.
"We've got enough controversial figures to push the envelope," said co-chair Gregor Feige.
Co-chair Audrey Henderson added that they "definitely tried to get left-wing and right-wing speakers."
This year's theme is "A Nation Divided: Politics and Power in the 21st Century." Feige and Henderson feel that last year's elections and the current state of division in Capitol Hill politics make the issue of media influences in American politics both timely and pertinent.
The two chairs chose their theme because "these issues really affect everybody regardless of your interests," said Henderson.
To supplement the speakers, this year's chairs are offering a photography exhibit sponsored by The Baltimore Sun and a film series that will explore the news media's power and events from the Kennedy administration through today. The MSE will also feature a political debate between the College Republicans and College Democrats on Nov.15.
"We're. trying to say there are. ways to bring about intellectual discourse other than the lectures themselves," said Feige.
Additionally, Henderson stated that "having a photography exhibit and film series gives context to the lectures."
The first speaker is Bob Woodward, who will present his ideas on the relationship between politics and the media on Sept. 20. Woodward is perhaps best known for his role in the early 1970s Watergate investigation and is now the assistant managing editor of investigative news for the Washington Post.
He is among the top names in investigative reporting and recognized as the man, along with Carl Bernstein, who broke the story of the Nixon Watergate scandal to the public in the early 1970s.
Because of his involvement in the media, "Bob Woodward," said Henderson, "has so much to say about the role of the media and how it affects politics."
Ben Stein, who will speak on Oct.17, is best-known for his role as the host of his television quiz show, Win Ben Steins Money. Before his minor roles in Hollywood he was a lawyer and speech writer for both Nixon and Ford in the 1970s, and therefore the chairs feel he offers unique knowledge of Hollywood, politics and the news media.
Stein's perspective includes the role of Hollywood and how its endorsements of particular political issues and candidates and portrayal of life inside the Beltway contribute to the public's perception of politics.
