What do Neil deGrasse Tyson, Samantha Bee and former Vice President Joe Biden have in common? They’re all appearing soon at Drew University.
Each is a guest of the school’s Drew Forum speaker series, which begins in September with popular astrophysicist Tyson and ends in March with Biden, the 47th vice president of the United States.
A total of five speakers are scheduled, including a sports legend who will be revealed soon. For ticket information, please click here or call 973-408-3917.
The series—supported by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and the Thomas H. Kean Visiting Lectureship—is a platform for comedians, athletes, authors, historians and world leaders. Past speakers include David McCullough, John Oliver, Walt Frazier, Condoleezza Rice and Doris Kearns Goodwin. Here’s a closer look at the 2017-18 lineup.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
The astrophysicist, author and director of the Hayden Planetarium translates complex ideas into common sense. His talk, “An Astrophysicist Reads the Newspaper,” is supported by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Jordy Research Scholarship Lecture Series and the William C. Campbell Colloquium in 19th-Century Science and Society. Sept. 26, Simon Forum, 8 p.m.
Samantha Bee
The host of TBS’ Full Frontal With Samantha Bee and former Daily Show correspondent sits down with New York magazine Writer-at-Large Rebecca Traister. The interview is supported by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Oct. 21, Simon Forum, 8 p.m.
David Axelrod
The senior political commentator at CNN and director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics talks shop. Axelrod, who also hosts The Axe Files podcast, served as senior advisor to President Barack Obama from 2009-11. His talk is supported by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Jan. 31, The Concert Hall, 8 p.m.
Vice President Joe Biden
The 47th vice president (2009-17) and former U.S. senator (1973-2009) reflects on a life of public service. His talk is supported by the Thomas H. Kean Visiting Lectureship. March 28, Simon Forum, 8 p.m.
About Drew
Drew University, a Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts university, includes the College of Liberal Arts, the Drew Theological School and the Caspersen School of Graduate Studies. Drew is located on a beautiful, wooded, 186-acre campus in Madison, New Jersey, a thriving small town close to New York City. It has a total enrollment of more than 2,000 students and 145 full-time faculty members, with 94 percent holding the terminal degree in their field. The Theological and Caspersen Schools offer MA and PhD degrees and the College confers BA degrees in 30 disciplines.
Drew is dedicated to exceptional faculty mentorship, a commitment to connecting the campus with the community and a focus on experiential learning. Particularly noteworthy opportunities for undergraduates include the Charles A. Dana Research Institute for Scientists Emeriti (RISE), home of 2015 Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine and Drew Fellow William Campbell, the Drew Summer Science Institute, the Center for Civic Engagement, six semesters in New York City (Wall Street, United Nations, Contemporary Art, Communications and Media, Social Entrepreneurship and Theatre) and several international semester programs. The University also houses the Center for Civic Engagement, the Drew Summer Science Institute, the Center for Religion, Culture & Conflict, the Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, an independent professional theater, as well as the United Methodist Archives and History Center and one of the country’s leading concentrations of materials on Willa Cather.
