New York Times columnist to speak on campus today

1978 Pulitzer Prize winner William Safire will use his experience as a political columnist for The New York Times in a speech at 7 p.m. today in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union. Safire will discuss “What’s Going to Happen in Washington and the World?” the title of his speech. \nSafire is the second guest in the three-part spring Speaker Series the School of Journalism has featured every spring semester since 2006. The speakers are brought in to share their expertise in the field of journalism. The event is free and open to the public.\n“I think he is going to be particularly interesting in the politically-heavy time we are in,” said Tim Street, School of Journalism assistant communications director. “The amount of politics he has seen will make his viewpoint of this political season very interesting.”\nSafire has written 10 books on language, is a semi-retired columnist and is a former presidential speech writer. He writes a regular article in the New York Times Magazine called “On Language,” which focuses on etymology, word use and other language-related topics. \n“I look forward to all of the speakers,” said School of Journalism Dean Bradley Hamm. “I look forward to them because the students get to see people they might not have seen otherwise. This series brings national figures in journalism to the entire community – local and University.”\nSafire’s will give his speech and will then answer questions from \nthe audience. \n Afterwards, Safire will also hold a book signing in the IMU Solarium His new book, titled “Safire’s New Political Dictionary,” is coming out March 31. The IU Bookstore will have the book ahead of time so the public can purchase it and have it signed \nby Safire.\nHamm said the School of Journalism is excited about Safire’s visit.\n“These kinds of events make the University special,” he said.