Marshall University’s Celebrity Series will return for 2004-2005 beginning Nov. 2. Celebrity Series II, an in-depth look at national trends in higher education, will feature eight speakers from across the nation. This group, who are all decision makers in American higher education, will share their thoughts as to where universities need to be headed and how institutions can get there.

Dr. Don Brown (photo available), the first speaker in the series, will be on Marshall’s Huntington campus Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre of the Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center. Dr. Brown is the executive director of the foundation for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a former commissioner for higher education in Texas. Dr. Brown will be speaking about how state institutions can meet higher demands with less funding, and specifically how institutions in Texas have handled this situation.

The second speaker in the series will be Dr. Ronald Blanck, president of the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Dr. Blanck will be on campus Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theatre. Dr. Blanck will provide a look into the health needs of the country and advances in health research. Dr. Blanck will also give insights on what the Marshall University School of Medicine is doing with these health needs and advances in research.

“The Celebrity Series is a rewarding experience for people in the community,” Dan Angel, Marshall University president, said. “It helps us to think about the future at Marshall and to push toward our goals.” President Angel said the series will also aid in Marshall’s 10-year plan, which has been in effect for five years. “We want to see what changes are in store for higher education,” Angel said. “This will allow us to revise the next five years of our plan to meet new goals.”

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