Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Comedy writer Scott Dikkers, who helped found the satirical news website, The Onion, will bring humor to this dramatic election year and shed light on the value of information literacy in the modern world as well as the role of satire in today's society, at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26 in UNCW’s Burney Center.

Dikkers is The Onion’s longest-serving editor-in-chief and co-owned the paper until 2003. In 2006, he created The Onion News Network, which has generated numerous viral videos and three television series. His work has been recognized with the Thurber Prize for American Humor, a Peabody and more than 30 Webby Awards. He currently runs a writing workshop with Chicago comedy theater The Second City, in partnership with the publication.

The lecture is co-sponsored by Student Media, the Mimi Cunningham Speaker Series Endowment of the Department of Communication Studies, Randall Library, the Communication Studies Society and the Association for Campus Entertainment. In addition to the lecture, a screening and panel discussion of the documentary “Out of Print,” will be held on Sept. 21 in Randall Library.

“The Dikkers lecture is an exciting way to begin the 2016-2017 Leadership Lecture Series as this generation uses satire news outlets like The Onion and John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight to digest their news,” said Stefanie M. Norris, director of UNCW Campus Life Arts and Programs. “We appreciate the continued partnership with campus departments as these collaborations enhance the learning our students receive in the classroom.

Tickets are free for UNCW faculty, staff and students and $10 for the general public. They are available through Sharky's Box Office and Game Room and may be picked up and/or purchased in the lobby the evening of the event.

The Leadership Lecture Series provides an exploration of leadership through stories and experiences shared by guest speakers. The views expressed by visiting artists, guests or lecturers do not necessarily reflect the views of UNCW or the Campus Life Arts and Programs. Past speakers include Jerry Greenfield, half of the famous duo who created Ben & Jerry’s ice cream; veteran political strategist Donna Brazile and Piper Kerman, critically acclaimed author of memoir-turned Netflix series Orange is the New Black.

-- Caroline Cropp

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