2011-2012

The hit MTV show "The Buried Life" originated in 2006 when four now 20-somethings, Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn, set out in an old RV to complete a list of "100 Things We Want To Do Before We Die" and help strangers along the way to accomplish something on their own lists.

Today, "The Buried Life" has over 1 million Facebook fans and more than 130,000 Twitter followers. Despite their success, the four stars work to keep the show authentic to their original vision: “Simple and practical things demonstrate that, with creativity and the help of others, a person can accomplish anything — anything is possible.”

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

The Buried Life: Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Jonnie Penn
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Bill Nye is a scientist, engineer, comedian, author and inventor. He is also a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society and to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work.

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

Bill Nye
The Earth is a Great Home, But We Have to Make Some Changes
Monday, November 14, 2011
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Download Bill Nye’s Biography

Lisa Ling uses her role as a journalist to focus on positive social change. Currently the co-executive producer and host of "Our America" on the Oprah Winfrey Network and the field correspondent for "The Oprah Show," Ling has reported from dozens of countries. She has covered stories about gang rape in the Congo, bride burning in India and the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda, among other issues that are too often ignored.

She will discuss her own career path as she explains how journalism can be a force for propelling the world forward in new and positive ways. Lisa Ling appears in conjunction with the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation.

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

Lisa Ling
Open Heart, Open Mind
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Download Lisa Ling's Biography

Captain Mark Kelly faced the toughest challenge of his life in January 2011, when an assassination attempt was made on his wife, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. His dedication to family and her road to recovery captivated the nation. For Kelly, focus equals success, even in the face of adversity. A combat pilot in Iraq, an astronaut on four space shuttle missions and commander of the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour, Kelly shows audiences how to accomplish their mission while maintaining the love and devotion to family that is the foundation of true success.

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

Mark Kelly
Endeavor to Succeed
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Download Mark Kelly's Biography

John Legend is a nine time Grammy Award winning recording artist, critically acclaimed concert performer, philanthropist and social activist, and was named one of TIME magazine’s "100 Most Influential People."

Legend launched the Show Me Campaign, a nonprofit organization fighting poverty. John also sits on the boards of The Education Equality Project, Teach for America, and the Harlem Village Academies. Among John Legend’s honors received are: the 2010 BET Humanitarian of the Year award, the 2009 CARE Humanitarian Award for Global Change, and the 2009 Africare’s Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award.

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

An Afternoon with John Legend
Monday, February 20, 2012
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Download John Legend's Biography

Join the best selling author of the acclaimed novel, “The Help,” as she shares her experiences with writing the novel, her challenges getting it published and how the book became a hit movie from DreamWorks.

Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After studying English and creative writing at the University of Alabama, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. It was there that she wrote "The Help," her first novel. Printed after rejection by close to 50 literary agents, "The Help" quickly climbed onto the New York Times’ best seller list, where it has remained for more than 100 weeks.

Free event! No ticket required. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the public.

An Afternoon with Kathryn Stockett
Thursday, March 29, 2012
3 p.m.
Student Center Ballroom
Supported by Student Activity Fees.

Download Kathryn Stockett’s Biography

Healing, Transformation and Higher Consciousness
Thursday, April 12, 2012
6 p.m.
Georgia State University Sports Arena

This event is free for all Georgia State University students, faculty and staff with PantherCard ID at the door. All others are $10 at the door.