Category: Craig W. Barton Speaker Series

All Wichita State students are invited to meet Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor, at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room, for an informal Q&A.

The event is exclusively for registered WSU students, and refreshments will be served. Capacity is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.

O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, newsmaking interviews and is currently the only woman anchoring an evening news broadcast. During her career, she has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living president of the United States.

Additionally, students are invited to attend the Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event featuring O’Donnell later that same day at 6 p.m. at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Learn more about the event and how to reserve a seat.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual WSU event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), and Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama.

Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor, will speak at the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, newsmaking interviews and is currently the only woman anchoring an evening news broadcast. During her career, she has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living president of the United States.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011), and Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama.

Dear WSU Faculty:

As you’ve likely heard, Emmy Award-winning journalist Norah O’Donnell will be our guest for the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series on March 21, 2024. O’Donnell is anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News. She also anchors all CBS News’ Election Specials and is a “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent. She has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living U.S. president.

This will be an incredible opportunity for students from across campus to hear about and learn from O’Donnell’s decades of experiences covering events around the globe and conducting news-making interviews with world leaders.

I strongly encourage you to include O’Donnell’s visit as part of your curriculum for your spring 2024 classes, as she’s sure to offer our students valuable and evocative insight and advice about current and political affairs from around the world.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series, which was established in 2021, is an annual event that aims to expose students to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

There are two opportunities for students to engage with O’Donnell during her visit to Wichita State:

• At 3 p.m. on March 21, there will be a moderated Q & A with students led by SGA President Iris Okere with opening remarks by Dr. Jeff Jarman, director for the Elliott School of Communication. A link for students to sign up for the afternoon event will be provided to faculty for their curriculum and distributed through Shocker Blast.
• At 6 p.m. on March 21, O’Donnell will deliver a keynote address in Miller Concert Hall followed by a moderated discussion. This event is open to the public, and students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Access to tickets will be available Feb. 1, 2024.

Both events will offer distinct experiences for our students, and they both promise to be informative, enriching, and entertaining.

For more information about the Barton Speaker Series visit wichita.edu/bartonseries or call Carmen Hytche at 316-978-3142.

Sincerely,

Shirley Lefever
Executive Vice President & Provost

The Wichita State University Craig W. Barton Speaker Series cordially invites you to save the date for an evening with Norah O’Donnell, anchor of “CBS Evening News” and a contributor to “60 Minutes,” at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 2024 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

More information, including how to reserve a ticket to the event, will be available at a later date.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

The 2023 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event with Cody Keenan, former director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, is no longer available to view. Thanks to all Shockers for helping welcome Keenan to Wichita State and making the event a success.

We look forward to you joining us for the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event.

The 2023 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event with Cody Keenan, former director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, is no longer available to view. Thanks to all Shockers for helping welcome Keenan to Wichita State and making the event a success.

We look forward to you joining us for the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event.

Wichita State students are cordially invited to meet Cody Keenan, director of speechwriting to former President Barack Obama, at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in the Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center for an informal meet-and-greet.

Students attending the meeting with Keenan will receive a copy of his book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.”

The event is exclusively for registered WSU students and refreshments will be served. Capacity is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.

Keenan rose from a campaign intern to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Together, Keenan and Obama’s efforts resulted in what have been called some of the most unforgettable addresses of our time.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual WSU event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Wichita State students are cordially invited to meet Cody Keenan, director of speechwriting to former President Barack Obama, at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in the Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center for an informal meet-and-greet.

Students attending the meeting with Keenan will receive a copy of his book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.”

The event is exclusively for registered WSU students and refreshments will be served. Capacity is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.

Keenan rose from a campaign intern to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Together, Keenan and Obama’s efforts resulted in what have been called some of the most unforgettable addresses of our time.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual WSU event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Wichita State students are cordially invited to meet Cody Keenan, director of speechwriting to former President Barack Obama, at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in the Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center for an informal meet-and-greet.

Students attending the meeting with Keenan will receive a copy of his book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.”

The event is exclusively for registered WSU students and refreshments will be served. Capacity is limited, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.

Keenan rose from a campaign intern to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Together, Keenan and Obama’s efforts resulted in what have been called some of the most unforgettable addresses of our time.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual WSU event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Cody Keenan, former White House speechwriter, will be the speaker for the 2023 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in Wiedemann Hall. Seat reservations are required, and the event is free and open to the public.

Keenan rose from a campaign intern to become chief speechwriter at the White House and Former President Barack Obama’s post-presidential collaborator. Together, Keenan and Obama’s efforts resulted in what have been called some of the most unforgettable addresses of our time.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.