Bill Rancic, a reality show protégé of Donald Trump with a message about surviving in tough economic times, leads off this year's Student Life speaker series.
More than 27 million people watched Trump select Rancic as winner in the first season of "The Apprentice" in 2004. Since then he's worked as a financial consultant, signed on to produce a reality series on repo men and written a book, "You're Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life."
He will speak Sept. 22 at Pruis Hall on the topic of "How to Use Challenging Times to Your Advantage." Rancic is followed in the series by one-time presidential candidate Gov. Howard Dean on Nov. 4 and Meghan McCain, daughter of presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, on Nov. 16.
Organizers are trying to book Edward James Olmos, actor and Latin American activist, and said those arrangements are still pending. The schedule includes two more speakers than in past semesters.
Rancic's appearance is part of the Career Center's Focus On Your Future Week, said James Mitchell, the center's associate director.
"Rancic is a great opportunity to motivate students," Mitchell said. "He brings a lot of energy, excitement, enthusiasm and professionalism. You've got to have an attitude like his to do well."
The series, which is primarily organized by the Student Life's Excellence in Leadership program, can afford two more speakers than usual due to the co-sponsorship of the Career Center, Building Better Communities, and various departments on campus, said Mitch Isaacs, associate director of the Student Life office.
"It makes a lot more sense to pool our resources and get a bigger-name speaker," Isaacs said of their decision to try cosponsorship. "This is a pattern we're trying to establish. I would really like to get departments on board for every semester."
Dean, former governor of Vermont and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, will talk about the importance of student involvement in government and paying attention to politics.
McCain, a young progressive Republican, will lend a different perspective on a similar topic. She will speak about connecting a new generation with public service.
Olmos would speak about cultural diversity and recognizing and celebrating cultural differences while maintaining equality.
Speakers
Bill Rancic - Sept. 22nd7 PM Pruis HallTopic "How to Use Challenging Times to Your Advantage"Sponsored by Excellence in Leadership, Building Better Communities, and the Career Center Edward James Olmos -- Oct 28 (pending confirmation)8 PM Pruis HallTopic "We're All in the Same Gang"Sponsored by Excellence in Leadership, Building Better Communities, the Career Center, Latino Student Union, the Multicultural Center, College of Communication and Information Media, Miller College of Business, Athletics Gov. Howard Dean - Nov 4 7pm Emens Topic "Getting Youth Involved with Government"Sponsored by Excellence in Leadership, Housing and Residence Life, Political Science and the Division of Student Affairs Meghan McCain - Nov 167pm Pruis HallTopic "Connecting the next generation with government"Sponsored by Excellence in Leadership and Political Science
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