Committee sets Northeastern State University Centennial speakers

September 04, 2008 11:43 pm

— TAHLEQUAH — The Northeastern State University Centennial Lecture Committee has announced the speakers for the Centennial Lecture Series: Elizabeth Eckford of Little Rock, Ark.; Mark I. Pinsky of Maitland, Fla.; and Larry Coker of Fort Myers, Fla.
• Eckford, a member of the Little Rock Nine, will speak at 3 p.m. Sept. 13 in the NET Auditorium. One of the pervasive images of the Civil Rights Era is that of 15-year-old Eckford, walking alone in front of the school, through a hate-filled mob while being taunted. She will share her experience of the 1957 desegregation of Little Rock’s Central High School.
• Pinsky is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m. Jan. 22, 2009 on the Tahlequah campus. He is the author of the bestselling books “The Gospel According to The Simpsons” and “The Gospel According to Disney.” He is currently working on an updated version of “The Simpsons” book that will discuss religious themes in other animated television shows such as “South Park,” “Futurama,” “King of the Hill” and “Family Guy.”
• Coker, an ESPN analyst and former University of Miami head coach, will be the guest speaker at 1 p.m. April 18, 2009 on the Broken Arrow campus.
All centennial lecture events are free.