Lisa Ling heads off speaker series at Southeast

World-renowned journalist, author and television host Lisa Ling will open the University Speaker Series on Sept. 20.

Ling was originally scheduled to speak during the 2011 Spring semester but was delayed by a scheduling conflict in her agenda, according to Michele Irby, Student Government Association Senate adviser.

Joanna Shaver, event coordinator and campus activities staff member, has coordinated the venue, publicity, catering, technical needs and reception with the help of Ling's agent as well as other university providers.

"I just hope that our campus community embraces Ms. Ling's topic of social change and will want to learn how they might be able to play a role in changing our world for the better," Shaver said.

Ling will discuss her career path and how journalism plays an important role in the world around us as well as how it continues to be a propelling force in social change.

"She's been through so much already in her career and also in her life. Hearing her speak would be inspirational for me and my fellow students," said Lauren Schutte, a sophomore English major transferring from Truman State.

David Amellotti, a sophomore radio broadcasting major, feels similarly.

"[Ling] is an individual who has achieved success in the field that I am studying. There are so many lessons to be learned from a professional by just listening to them speak," he said.

Ling began her career as a news correspondent where she covered the civil war in Afghanistan at 21 years old. She later became co-host of the daytime television show "The View" as well as field correspondent for the "Oprah Winfrey Show."

As a contributor for ABC News' "Nightline" and National Geographic's "Explorer," Ling covered stories on bride burning in India, gang rape in the Congo, the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda and many other issues that are not often acknowledged.

Ling is a contributing editor for USA Today's "US Weekend Magazine" and co-author of books "Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood" and "Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home."

This year she became host of her own show on Winfrey's OWN network. "Our America with Lisa Ling" debuted Feb. 15.

In her spare time, Ling promotes her ventures and speaks at universities and conferences.

Ling will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Show Me Center. Tickets are required for entry into the event and are free for current Southeast faculty, staff and students with a valid Southeast ID. Tickets can be picked up in the University Center Room 202, the Center for Student Involvement or the Show Me Center Box Office.