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The Speakers Series is open to the public by subscribing to the Series. The lectures are held from 8-9:30pm on seven evenings, from October through April.

Become a subscriber to the St. Louis Speakers Series to guarantee your seats to all 7 lectures. You will have the chance to interact with each speaker, as each event will conclude with a question and answer session. Please note that the St. Louis Speakers Series is only sold by subscription to the entire series - single tickets to individual lectures will not be sold.

Maryville University presents the 2012-2013
St. Louis Speakers Series at Powell Hall


The St. Louis Speakers Series invites you to join us at Powell Hall to experience the ultimate in cultural engagement -- seven evenings of diverse opinions, profound insights and fascinating discussion on a broad scope of issues. For the past fourteen seasons, Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders, statesmen, distinguished journalists, authors and other celebrated personalities have enlightened and inspired our audiences. Join us this season and enjoy a season of heroes and legends. You'll be delighted you did!


The speakers for the 2012-2013 season, which begins this Fall, are:

John M. Huntsman, Jr.

JON M. HUNTSMAN, JR.
U.S. Ambassador to China (2009-2011) and Governor of Utah (2005-2009)

October 1, 2012 - Monday, 8pm


Serving under four presidents, of both parties, in 2009 he was appointed by President Barack Obama as U.S. Ambassador to China. Prior to this, he served as the 16th Governor of the State of Utah, as the Deputy United States Trade Representative and as the Ambassador to Singapore. Most recently, he was a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Jeannette Walls

JEANNETTE WALLS
Bestselling Author of The Glass Castle

October 23, 2012 - Tuesday, 8pm

In her New York Times bestselling memoir The Glass Castle, this award-winning author describes the nomadic, dysfunctional and colorful family life of her childhood. After leaving her family and attending Barnard College, she worked as a journalist in New York for 20 years, writing for New York Magazine , USA Today and MSNBC.com.

Condoleezza Rice

CONDOLEEZZA RICE
U.S. Secretary of State (2005-2009)

November 13, 2012 - Tuesday, 8pm


She served as Secretary of State during President George W. Bush's second term. Prior to holding that position, she served in his first administration as National Security Advisor, the first woman to hold such a position. After leaving the State House, she returned to teach at Stanford University, where she was Provost from 1993 to 1999.

P. W. Singer

P. W. SINGER
21st Century Warfare Expert

January 22, 2013 - Tuesday, 8pm

Currently a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, he is the preeminent specialist on 21st century warfare. In his work he explores how science fiction, with its emphasis on robotics and other technologies, is now playing out on modern day battlefields, and the implications of these developments on war, politics, ethics and law in our time.

Erskine Bowles

ERSKINE BOWLES
Co-Chairman of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

February 26, 2013 - Tuesday, 8pm


Along with Sen. Alan Simpson, he was named by President Obama to co-chair the bi-partisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, commonly referred to as Bowles-Simpson. Former posts have included president of the University of North Carolina system, White House Chief of Staff to President Clinton and administrator of the Small Business Administration.

Vicente Fox

VICENTE FOX
President of Mexico (2000-2006)

March 12, 2013 - Tuesday, 8pm

The first president elected from an opposition party since 1910, Fox served as president of Mexico from 2000 to 2006. Prior to running for the presidency, he served as governor of his home state, Guanajuato, from 1995 to 1999. Before entering politics, he worked for the Coca-Cola Company, rising from delivery truck driver to president of Coca-Cola Mexico.

Nando Parrado

NANDO PARRADO
Miracle Survivor of the Infamous Plane Crash in the Andes Mountains

April 23, 2013 - Tuesday, 8pm

On a flight from Uruguay to Chile for an international rugby tournament, he and 16 of his teammates survived for two months in the Andes Mountains, where their plane crashed at 18,000 feet. The story of their ordeal and his ten-day trek through the Andes that led to the group's rescue was told in the book and ensuing motion picture, Alive.

Here is what our subscribers have to say...


“What a surprise it has been to find that the speakers my wife and I were least looking forward to, have been the ones we have enjoyed the most. Now we understand why it is sold as a series."

“Keep up the great job!! There are six in our group ranging in age from 26 to 94. We really enjoy it!”

“Once again, my husband and I were riveted by the presenter. These evenings have contributed to our intellectual capital and growth on so many levels. They continue to be part of our thinking and our conversation long after each evening has ended. This lecture, in particular, left us with a call to action... We're getting off the couch.”

“This series is incredible! It’s like an elite continuing education course where the ‘guest lecturers,’ season after season, are some of the best and brightest minds of our time.”

“Since its inception, the St. Louis Speakers Series has presented a virtual 'Who's Who' of national and global figures. Without exception, the speeches have been consistently thought-provoking and highly informative. The Speakers Series is truly a St. Louis treasure!”

“Intellectual, amusing and cultural... a great combination”

“We were delighted to attend last night's lecture. It accomplished what I think was the goal... a night of reflection, discussion, and intellectual pursuit -- something we rarely get to do in our busy lives. We can't wait to attend the rest... we're hooked!”

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