Saint Xavier’s University Relations department is still in search for the 2013-2014 Voices and Visions speaker. Created in the spring of 2007, the Voices and Visions Speaker Series is devoted to bringing respected public individuals to the university so that they may engage in highest levels of discourse with the community.
While typically held during the fall semester, University Relations is considering hosting the Voices and Visions series either this semester or during the spring.
In an interview via e-mail with The Xavierite, according to Karla Thomas, Saint Xavier’s Executive Director of Media Relations, selecting a speaker depends on the availability of the individual as well as the accessibility of an SXU venue.
“We’re just working with everyone’s schedule to secure the best date and venue. As soon as we have confirmed our speaker, we will definitely share the information with the SXU community,” stated Thomas.
The series – funded through a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, and a few operating funds – has had various important public figures come to the university within the past few years.
Previous Voices and Visions speakers include Madeleine K. Albright, who served as the United States’s first female Secretary of State; General Colin L. Powell, who also served as the country’s Secretary of State; Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel; political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin; former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan; journalist Cokie Roberts; and former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
Last year, a few days just before the 2012 presidential election, political strategist Mary Matalin returned to SXU and was joined by political analyst Donna Brazile.
The two discussed important issues surrounding the upcoming election.
Thomas remarked on the process in selecting a Voices and Visions speaker.
“We are always open to suggestions from the SXU community, but we also have to work with a speaker’s availability as well as select speakers consistent with national topics in the news such as securing Donna Brazile, veteran Democratic political strategist, and Mary Matalin, veteran Republican political strategist, who both weighed in on the 2012 Presidential Election,” stated Thomas.
The Voices and Visions Speaker Series has proven to be a popular event not just for the SXU community, but also neighboring communities.
Hundreds of spectators come to the university whenever it hosts the event. Thomas commented on why the series is important for SXU students, the university, and even members of nearby neighborhoods.
“This series brings speakers who provide a valuable learning experience to the SXU community and surrounding neighborhoods. Our series allows students to learn outside of the classroom.
“Additionally, we bring speakers who are diverse in their political, ideological, historical, and gender-based experiences. They are usually well-known academics, humanitarians, political leaders, or celebrities who help to significantly increase SXU’s visibility. Lastly, we bring speakers our audience would not ordinarily have access to and at a reasonable price that is close to their homes.”
Macy Zamudio
Senior News Editor