Noted Journalist Lisa Ling to speak at Georgia Southern University

December 13, 2007

Lisa Ling, special correspondent for the ‘Oprah” show and contributor to the National Geographic channel and the Oxygen Network, will speak at Georgia Southern University as part of the Leadership & Civic Engagement Week. Ling will speak on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

The Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement is sponsoring Ling’s presentation as one part of Leadership and Civic Engagement Week that is schedule to run from Monday, Jan. 28 through Friday, Feb. 1. The week is designed to help students learn how their goals and passions can lead them to opportunities that will make a difference.

Ling’s presentation titled, ‘Opening Minds and Hearts to the Issues Surrounding Us,” is built around a career in television that began at the age of 16. She went on to become one of the youngest reporters for Channel One News, a network that appears in middle and high school classrooms across the country. Beginning in 1999 she shared her opinions with millions of Americans as a co-host on the daytime talk show ‘The View.” In 2002 she became the first woman to host ‘Explorer” on the National Geographic channel where she compiled stories ranging from the complex issues surrounding China’s one-child policy to female suicide bombers.

During her career Ling has reported from more than 24 countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan. She also serves as a contributing editor for USA Weekend and co-authored the book ‘Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood.”

‘One of our main goals is to focus on service as part of Leadership and Civic Engagement Week this year. Lisa Ling is someone who not only has demonstrated strong leadership skills, but is making an impact on the area of social change both in the United States and in the world,” said Jodi Middleton, leadership coordinator in the Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement.

Ling’s presentation is free and open to the public. The Performing Arts Center is located on the Georgia Southern campus at the corner of Chandler Road and Plant Drive.

For more information, contact Jodi Middleton at 912-871-1435.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers more than 120 degree programs serving nearly 17,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education.

Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.