WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns visiting Purdue to speak about “The American Experience” at a 6:30 p.m. lecture Sept. 22 in Purdue University‘s Elliott Hall of Music.
The talk, which will cover the enduring greatness and importance of the United States in the course of human events, is free and open to the public.
The event is part of the Purdue Series on Corporate Citizenship and Ethics and is presented by the Krannert School of Management, College of Education's James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, College of Liberal Arts, Discovery Park, Purdue Convocations and Hall of Music Productions, with funding from Purdue Federal Credit Union. The series, which dates back to 2003, investigates various aspects of business ethics and the role citizens play in corporate ethics.
Burns produced and directed his first film for PBS, the Academy Award-nominated “Brooklyn Bridge,” in 1981. His other films include “The Civil War,” “Baseball” (the most-watched series in PBS history), “The National Parks: America's Best Idea” and “The Roosevelts.” His newest film, “Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War,” will debut on PBS on Sept. 20.
Burns has received two Emmy Awards and two Academy Award nominations, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Historian Stephen Ambrose said, “More Americans get their history from Ken Burns than any other source.” A 2002 poll conducted by Real Screen Magazine named Burns one of the two “most influential documentary makers” of all time.
The Elliott Hall doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and attendees are urged not to bring bags and backpacks. Those that are brought will be searched at the doors.
