January 22, 2009

American Studies Distinguished Lecture Series presents Ben Stein

SEARCY, Ark.—Ben Stein may have had trouble getting Ferris Bueller to come to class, but he should have no difficulty drawing a crowd as Harding University's first American Studies Institute speaker of 2009. Economist, writer, award-winning actor and game show host Stein will speak in Harding University's Benson Auditorium on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Stein obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia and a law degree from Yale. At Yale he worked part time as a poverty lawyer and as an activist and demonstrator for civil rights and decent treatment of the poor.

Stein has taught at American University, University of California at Santa Cruz and Pepperdine.  His areas of expertise include the political and social content of mass culture, law, ethics and civil rights. In addition to teaching, Stein served as speechwriter and lawyer for Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

His hit quiz show, "Win Ben Stein's Money," ran on Comedy Central from 1997 to 2002 and garnered six Emmy Awards. Stein won an additional Emmy for best game show host. He co-wrote the movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed." He has written, co-written and published 30 books, the latest of which is How to Ruin the United States of America.

Stein is a commentator for CSB Sunday Morning and Fox News. He is also a regular columnist for The New York Times Sunday Business Section, and he has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Barrons financial magazine, The Los Angeles Herald Examiner and additional print news sources.

The American Studies Institute is committed to learning more about and supporting principles that were key in founding America, such as the dignity of humans, freedom, liberty, courage, free enterprise, morality, integrity, faithfulness and democracy.

The public is welcome to attend this free event. For more information, call the American Studies Institute at Harding University at 501-279-4497.