The mission of the Wisconsin Union Directorate Spotlight Speaker Series is to present thought-provoking and challenging lectures pertaining to current world and campus issues. In its first year, a variety of speakers such as Daniel Ellsberg, Ann Simonton, Sherron Watkins and Clonaid have spoken on everything from government corruption and women in the media to corporate scandal and human cloning.
It is the goal of the Spotlight Series to create campus dialogue on important social and political issues. Tonight, Middle East analyst Daniel Pipes will speak on his views on the war in Iraq, the Palestinian/Israeli conflict and terrorism. Following Pipes' speech, we hope someone will give an additional lecture that will provide a different opinion.
During the past weeks, students have expressed concerns over Pipes' controversial views and his visit to UW. As with all lectures, WUD does not endorse the beliefs of its speakers. However, we are committed to providing a forum where different perspectives can be heard. We invite everyone to come to the lecture tonight to learn about Pipes' opinions and to voice yours during the Q&A following his speech.
We are grateful to the students who have come forward to voice their opposition to tonight's lecture. Through these conversations we provide a platform for both sides of these critical issues. This active dialogue across campus, in the newspapers and between student organizations is exactly the communication needed to sift through such controversial and relevant topics.
We encourage all of you to attend tonight's lecture to continue this important discourse.
Ann Hanson, Director
Distinguished Lecture Series
Wisconsin Union Directorate
John Blomberg, Director
Contemporary Issues Committee
Wisconsin Union Directorate
