Big names come to Robert Morris forum

Rudy Guliani, Elie Weisel, Amy Tan, David McCullough. The list speaks for itself.

And… Rudy Guliani, Elie Weisel, Amy Tan, David McCullough. The list speaks for itself.

And Robert Morris University will host them all next year, as part of its recently created Pittsburgh Speakers Series at Heinz Hall.

This year, the Downtown university has handed the microphone to such distinguished guests as former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt.

The series, according to Mark Weinstein, director of public relations for Robert Morris, is part of a concentrated effort to increase the university’s community involvement and showcase the school’s commitment to enhancing the cultural life of the city.

Much of the motivation to create the speaker series developed out of the school’s official inauguration as a university in January of 2002.

Pitt, while already a university, does not sponsor a lecture series like Robert Morris’, but this does not represent a lack of institutional dedication to bring speakers to campus, said Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Dean of Students Jack Daniel.

“By any measure, you could not conclude that Pitt does not have the appropriate mix of speakers,” he said. “The programming throughout the campus is extensive.”

He added that Pitt’s recent history has included a number of distinguished speakers as reputable as those in the Pittsburgh Speaker Series, including NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, who is also billed for Robert Morris’ series next year.

The University’s speakers, though, are normally sponsored by individual departments or student organizations. For example, the English department’s Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series brings a variety of established writers to campus every year, and Black Action Society sponsored rap mogul Chuck D. in February.

But more often than not, these groups lack the funding and facilities necessary to bring many recognizable names to campus.

“There’s definitely been names,” said senior James Chung, citing poet Maya Angelou and football legend (and Pitt alum) Mike Ditka, “but the University could step it up. Pitt has the power – being money – and the facilities.”

Senior Caitlin Lenehan, after hearing the list of speakers on Robert Morris’ bill, was bothered that Pitt hasn’t followed suit.

“It’s actually pretty lame that we don’t,” she said.