Theme of this year's symposium is 'Bridging the Gap: America's Middle Class'

by Princine Lewis

Arianna Huffington, editor in chief of The Huffington Post; Tim Pawlenty, former governor of Minnesota; Christina Romer, former chair of President Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers; and William Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, will deliver public lectures at Vanderbilt March 21-22 as part of the university’s annual Impact Symposium.

The theme of this year’s symposium is “Bridging the Gap: America’s Middle Class.” Huffington and Kristol will have a conversation, “How Does the Media Speak to the Middle Class?” on March 21 at 7:30 p.m. Romer and Pawlenty will discuss economic policy March 22 at 7 p.m. during a panel titled “Whose Policy is Best?” Both events will be held in Vanderbilt’s Langford Auditorium.

Ben Smith, senior political writer for Politico, will serve as moderator for both events. Smith previously was a political columnist for the New York Daily News and started three of New York City’s political blogs: The Polliticker, The Daily Politics and Room Eight.

Tickets to the lectures are free to Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff. Only one free ticket may be picked up with a Vanderbilt ID at the Sarratt Student Center box office.

Non-Vanderbilt students may purchase tickets for $5 with their respective college or university ID at the Sarratt box office or any Ticketmaster outlet.

General public tickets are $10 at the Sarratt box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. General public tickets also may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

Available Impact speakers will sign books at 4 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Bookstore both days of the symposium. Huffington and Kristol’s conversation will be posted at news.vanderbilt.edu following the event.

Posted 03/01/11