Two Time Pulitzer Prize-winner And Humanitarian, Nicholas Kristof, 10/12, Montana State University , Bozeman

Considered more than just a two time Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times and credited with almost single-handedly bringing the Darfur genocide crisis to the world’s attention, Nicholas Kristof will speak at MSU on Monday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. in MSU’s Strand Union Ballrooms.

In an age where internet is threatening the extinction of magazines and newspapers, the importance of in-depth coverage cannot be overstated. Kristof travels on-the-ground, in the center of the action, seeking out individual stories to raise international awareness. In fact, Kristof is the subject of this year’s Sundance Film Festival film “The Reporter,” which strives to demonstrate why journalists like Kristof are necessary to the survival of our democracy and our ability to promote positive change in the world.

Originally from Yamhill, Oregon, Kristof graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University, then went on to study law at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. He studied Arabic in Cairo, Chinese in Taipei, lived on four continents, reported on six, and has traveled to more than 140 countries, plus all 50 states, every Chinese province and every main Japanese island.

Kristof is also innovative in his methods of reaching and encouraging young audiences to find a cause they care about. He blogs, twitters, is on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/kristof?ref=search&sid=1626501753.2217761609..1 , and has a YouTube channel. In each of his three “Win a Trip with Nick Kristof” competitions, a university student won the opportunity to join Kristof on reporting trips around Africa. Accompanying Kristof is not for the faint of heart, however; past travels have involved an Indonesian mob carrying heads on pikes, African plane crash and Amazon native firing a blow dart at a papaya balanced on Kristof’s head.

The upcoming lecture will follow the release of Kristof’s new book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” http://www.amazon.com/Half-Sky-Oppression-Opportunity-Worldwide/dp/0307267148/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1253365741&sr=8-1-fkmr0 which details why sex trafficking, gender-based violence and maternal mortality belong on the international agenda. “Kristof brings life to global news by putting faces on statistics that have dulled us to the issues,” says Sasha Dingle, MSU Leadership Institute Student Associate. “He inspires me to be courageous, risk beyond a comfortable life, and make a meaningful difference,” added Dingle.

The Kristof lecture is sponsored by ASMSU, MSU Leadership Institute, Office of the President, MSU Humanities Institute, Parent Family Association, Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Lori and Scott Lawson. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 15 and may be purchased at the Bobcat Ticket Office, local Tickets West locations or at ticketswest.com. Student tickets are $5 and general admission is $8. For more information please call the MSU Leadership Institute at 406-994-7275 or visit http://www.montana.edu/leadership.