Date: July 30, 2008
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

TUCKER CARLSON TO OPEN THE 2008 FORUM SEASON

Photos can be found at: http://www.pnc.edu/cd/news/newsphotos/forum2008.html

Westville – The 2008 season of the Sinai Forum Presented by Purdue University North Central will open on Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Elston Middle School in Michigan City with Tucker Carlson, senior campaign correspondent for MSNBC.

The 55 th season of the Sinai Forum is dedicated to the memory of its founder Sylvia Bankoff. The speakers will include nationally and internationally known speakers who will examine a diverse selection of topics - presidential politics, the provision of healthcare, war and peace, the science of bionics, and the mysteries of the Supreme Court.

The Sept. 14 opening program which begins at 7:30 p.m., will feature Tucker Carlson who will take an in-depth look at the 2008 presidential election. Carlson is a senior campaign correspondent for MSNBC. Until March 2008, he hosted MSNBC's Tucker , a fast paced, no-holds-barred conversation about the day's developments in news, politics, world issues and pop culture. He is a longtime print journalist and has reported news from around world, most recently from Iraq and Lebanon .

On Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Chorost will present “Rebuilt: How Becoming Part Computer Made Me More Human,” sponsored by Duneland Health Council.

Chorost is an internationally recognized authority in the field of bionics and medical technology. With “wit and grit” he weaves his personal experience as a cochlear implant recipient into his program. His best-selling book, by the same title as his talk, deals with the advances that have been made and will be made in the field of bionic technology.

His book will be available for purchase and he will be on hand to sign copies after the program.

The Oct. 26 program will begin at 3 p.m. and will feature Dr. Antonia Novello, former Surgeon General of the United States and UNICEF Special Representative for Health and Nutrition. She will address the topic of “U.S. Health Care Reform.”

Novello has a reputation as an outspoken advocate for public health issues. This program will provide valuable information and prompt a stimulating exchange during the question and answer period. Novello's appearance is sponsored by Indiana University Northwest.

On Nov. 9, the Forum speaker will be Ambassador Dennis Ross, who will explore

“The Complex World of Middle Eastern Policy.” The program begins at 3 p.m.

For more than 12 years, Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process, authoring the only peace accords ever implemented in the region. Ross will delve into the struggle to bring peace to the Middle East, including how to deal with Islamic extremists and how the Israeli-Palestinian crisis relates to Iraq , Iran and the entire Middle East . This appearance is sponsored by The Bankoff Endowment for the Forum.

On Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. author Jeffrey Toobin will explore his bestselling book, “The Nine.”

Heralded by the New York Times as one of the 10 best books of 2007, “The Nine” provides an inside look at the workings of the Supreme Court. Having been given unprecedented access to the “Supremes,” as the justices are called, Toobin's insights into the often mysterious workings of the highest judicial body and its members provide never-before released information. Toobin has been called “a very serious speaker with a great sense of humor“ and has delighted audiences across the country and across the political spectrum. His appearance is sponsored by Horizon Bank

“The Nine” will be available for purchase and Toobin will sign copies after the program.

All Sinai Forum programs are held at Elston Middle School , 317 Detroit St. , Michigan City . Subscription tickets may be purchased in person from the Michigan City Public Library, Kabelin Hardware, 512 Andrews Ave., LaPorte and at PNC - Porter County Graduate Center, 600 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso. Subscriptions may be purchased via credit card by calling (219) 785-5697. Any student with a valid ID will be admitted free.

Additional information about the Sinai Forum Presented by Purdue University North Central is available at www.sinaiforum.org .

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