In the midst of midterms, and with right around the corner, here are some of my highlights from what’s happening at IJʿ this week. With several well-known speakers on campus, there are plenty of things to do with your parents when you’re not going to as many restaurants as possible while they are here.
On Thursday, October 23, bestselling novelist Jonathan Franzen will be at IJʿ as part of this year’s Living Writers . He will be discussing his fourth novel, Freedom, that put his picture with the accompanying headline, “Great American Novelist,” on the cover of Time magazine.
Freedom was a 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award finalist, and a 2010 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist as well. In addition, Freedom was selected as one of the New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2010, and made Franzen the Galaxy Book Awards’ International Author of the Year.
He will be reading from his work, and answering questions in an open Q&A in Olin Hall at 4:30 p.m. If you can’t attend, you can watch his talk through the university’s .
, former Israeli prime minister and president, will be speaking Saturday, October 25, at IJʿ as part of the Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders.
Past speakers of the include Richard Branson, Felipe Calderón, and Hillary Clinton. Peres will speak to parents, alumni, students, and community members at 6 p.m. in Sanford Field House. Following his speech, journalist Bob Woodruff ’83 will interview Peres onstage.
for students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni and general admission can be reserved online until tickets sell out. A live webcast can be viewed .
If you’ve been feeling the stress of midterms lately, the Shaw Wellness Institute will be bringing to campus today, October 20. Come play with dogs and kittens from Wanderer’s Rest, a local humane association, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Coop Media Room.
For something completely different, there will be a midnight showing Friday, October 24, of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Hamilton Movie Theater.
The showing starts at 11:55 p.m. and is expected to run until about 1:35 a.m. Admission is $3, but students can attend for free with a IJʿ ID. Each attendee will get a slice of pizza and small popcorn as well. Costumes and
audience participation are strongly encouraged!
For a full listing of all the things happening at IJʿ and in the larger community, check out the calendar of events .