September 6, 2007
Purdue Black Graduate Association to bring noted author Michael Dyson to campus
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A noted author and researcher on African-American religion and current events will speak on "African-Americans in the Academy: Climate and Conflict" on Sept. 25 at Purdue University.The Rev. Michael Eric Dyson, who has written 14 books and appeared on such television talk show programs as "The Colbert Report," "Real Time with Bill Maher" and the "Tavis Smiley Show," will speak at 8 p.m. in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. The event is free and open to the public.
"Dr. Dyson is hailed by many people as an intellectual leader in society and academia, and we couldn't be more pleased to bring him to Purdue," said Deen King Smith, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering who is helping lead the event. "He's insightful and has something to say. We're looking forward to it."
Dyson is best known as an author, penning such books as "Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster;" "Is Bill Cosby Right? Or has the Black Middle Class Lost its Mind" and "Race Rules: Navigating the Color Line." His latest book "Know What I Mean?" is a social commentary on the past, present and future of hip-hop music.
An ordained Baptist minister, Dyson earned a doctoral degree in religion from Princeton University and recently accepted a professorship at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He had been a professor of humanities at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dyson also has taught at several other schools and universities, including Chicago Theological Seminary, the University of North Carolina, and Brown and Columbia universities. His research focuses largely on African-American religion and current problems affecting the African-American community.
He has received attention for his response to comedian Bill Cosby's criticism of the black community.
Purdue's Black Graduate Association, along with the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts and the African American Studies Research Center, are sponsoring the event as part of the university's Mosaic program. It is a program initiated by the provost's office to foster a culture of diversity within the university. Mosaic recognizes the value of culture and learning derived from multicultural awareness and seeks to instill a sense of global awareness in the students, faculty and staff.
Writer: Jim Bush, (765) 494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Deen King Smith (412) 654-8019, dkingsmi@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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