Campus speakers this school year range from President Barack Obama's campaign strategist to media heavyweights.
One thing they all have in common: leadership in their fields — something Ball State officials hope will rub off on the students who hear their presentations.
Leading the way for this year's lineup will be master storyteller Bob Dotson, TV reporter Laura Ling and White House adviser David Axelrod.
University departments, such as the Office of Student Life, look for several qualities to determine what speakers come to campus. Some of these qualities include leadership and diversity.
Mitch Isaacs, associate director of Student Life, said Ling, an on-air correspondent for Current TV, is a great example of what a leader should be.
In 2009, she was a prisoner in North Korea under Kim Jong Il's regime, according to NewsCenter. She and fellow journalist Euna Lee were charged with trying to enter the country illegally. They were released after former U.S. President Bill Clinton interfered during a diplomatic mission to Pyongyang.
"You want to put people up on the stage who have credible leadership," Isaacs said. "When you look at Laura Ling, and look at what she did in North Korea as a journalist, it makes for a compelling story. It lets students know what people sometimes have to go to in order to get through to us so we understand what's really happening in the world, and the kind of fortitude and persistence it takes sometimes to do the right thing."
Ling will talk on Oct. 12 in Pruis Hall about what she experienced throughout her time in isolation as well as look into the so-called "Hermit Nation."
Isaacs also said what's appealing about Ling is the fact she is an Asian woman.
"That's one thing in recent years that we haven't been able to do in the speaking series is particularly highlight someone with an Asian heritage and background," Isaacs said. "So that was another thing that attracted us."
Dotson, a broadcast journalist and host of "Bob Dotson's America," will bring his own array of leadership qualities when he comes to Ball State on Nov. 1 as part of the David Letterman Lecture Series in Pruis Hall.
For his work in broadcast journalism, Dotson has received more than 100 awards and has a record five Edward R. Murrow Awards for Writing. He is also the author of "Make it Memorable," a book for aspiring journalists, and his memoir, "In Pursuit of the American Dream."
Lori Byers, associate dean of the College of Communication, Information and Media, said Dotson's outlook on storytelling and the leadership he has in the journalism field was attractive to CCIM.
"He always chooses the really interesting angle to the story," Byers said. "He never chooses the obvious story, he chooses the back story that is a little more rich and complex. That's one of the reasons we chose him.
"And in general, we try to choose people who are cutting edge and leaders in their field to set the bar and lead a good example for our students."
To go along with its diversity and leadership qualities, Isaacs and other members of Student Life decided to bring in White House adviser and Obama for America 2012 campaign strategist David Axelrod.
His lecture, "Witness to History: Leadership Lessons from a Presidential Advisor," will be Nov. 14 in John R. Emens Auditorium. It will highlight leadership amid a historic financial crisis and two wars abroad.
Isaacs said Axelrod brings not only an incredible leadership background, but a set of eyes into the presidential newsroom.
"He's been in the room as the president of the United States has made critical leadership decisions," Isaacs said. "Regardless of whether it's an election year or not, that's always the kind of thing you want to do when you're allowed."
Terry Heifetz, instructor of telecommunications and Indiana Public Radio News Director, said he presumes students can obtain new skills from the best in their respective fields.
"It's a pretty rare opportunity to get people that are so well known as they are all in one place," he said. "What I'm hoping is everyone can learn from the best in the business, whether it's reporting, politics or whatever it is.
"Hopefully they will be able to take away from their presentations something that will help them in their future careers and beyond that."
Upcoming speakers:
Laura Ling, "Journey of Hope," 7 p.m., Oct. 12, Pruis Hall
Bob Dotson, "Strategic Choices of a Professional Storyteller," 7:30 p.m., Nov. 1, Pruis Hall
David Axelrod, "Witness to History: Leadership Lessons from a Presidential Advisor," 7 p.m., Nov. 14, John R. Emens Auditorium
Jennings Bryant, "Why'd I Just Watch That? Lessons from Entertainment Theory," 7:30 p.m., Feb. 29, Pruis Hall
Brad Lautenbach, "Applied Storytelling: Lessons from the Road between New Media and Old," 7:30 p.m., March 20, Pruis Hall
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