Maya Angelou, accomplished poet, author and actress, will speak at Oakland University Monday, October 2, 2006. The lecture will take place in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center at 7:00 p.m.

The author of many best-selling books, including “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Angelou’s lecture will stress the value of ethnic, economic and religious diversity in all undertakings. A passionate and powerful speaker, Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature; she delivered her dedicatory poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ceremony in January 1993. A poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil rights activist, producer and director, Angelou continues to travel the world to share her wisdom.

Lisa Ling is scheduled to speak at Oakland University Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Ling’s lecture will take place in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center at 7:00 p.m.

Ling is the host of National Geographic Ultimate Explorer, the flagship National Geographic television series airing weekly on MSNBC. Her role on the award-winning series takes her to exotic locations around the world to “cover the world and all that’s in it,” a directive from one of National Geographic’s founders, Alexander Graham Bell.

Ling has been working in television for 12 years. At age 16, she appeared as one of four hosts of “Scratch,” a nationally syndicated teen magazine show. By the time she was 18, Ling had moved on to become one of the youngest reporters for Channel One News, the network seen in middle and high schools across the country. Before the age of 25, Ling became Channel One’s senior war correspondent. Most recently, Ling brought her perspective on the world to millions of Americans as a co-host of The View, alongside Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones and Joy Behar.

Both lectures are free and seating will be available on a first come basis. Seating for both lectures is approximately 600. Both lectures will be interpreted for the deaf.

Oakland University is located at 2200 N. Squirrel Road in Rochester. For more information or to arrange special accommodations, call the Center for Student Activities at (248) 370-2400, e-mail csa@oakland.edu, or visit the Center for Student Activities Web site.