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
