New Sanchez Lecture Series Starts Sept. 20

The 2006 - 2007 A.R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series presented by Texas A&M International University's College of Arts and Sciences will begin Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. with Robert Rivard and "Trail of Feathers" in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

This event is free and open to the public.

Robert Rivard began his journalism career as a sports reporter, but the executive vice president and editor of the San Antonio Express-News has spent most of his professional career as a reporter and editor covering Latin America. He opened a full-time bureau in Central America for Dallas Times-Herald and later for Newsweek Magazine.

Rivard returned to Texas as deputy managing editor for the San Antonio Light and joined the Express-News as managing editor in 1994.

Trail of Feathers is Rivard's first book and a story of the search for the truth about the 1998 disappearance and murder of Philip True, former Express-News Mexico City bureau chief. It has been widely praised by newspapers and magazines across the country. Prior to serving the Mexico City bureau, True headed the Laredo bureau.

Rivard was named "Editor of the Year" by Editor & Publisher Magazine, received the Society of Professional Journalists' Distinguished Service Award for Foreign Correspondents and the Maria Moors Cabot Award from Colombia University.

Rivard received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Funded by the A.R. Sánchez Foundation, the four lectures in the series are free and open to the public and will take place on their respective evenings at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 10 - Dr. Alan Lightman with "Einstein in the 21st Century"

Wednesday, March 7 - Dr. Geoffrey R. Stone with "Free Speech in the Time of War"

Monday, April 30 - Dr. Susan Hunter with "AIDS in Africa"

Download the Sánchez brochure for complete details.

For additional information on the A. R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, please contact the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at 956.326.2460 or visit tamiu.edu.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu