Television personality and science advocate Bill Nye is landing at the University of Indianapolis on Sat. Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Ruth Lilly Fitness Center and Nicoson Hall, according to the Parents and Family Page on UIndy’s website. Stated in an article from UIndy 360, headlined “A Conversation with Bill Nye,” the event is part of the university’s running “Making Our Way Home ” series and UIndy Family Weekend 2022. Supported by the Blanche E. Penrod Lecture Series and the University Series, students, faculty, staff and the community can expect a more discussion-based event rather than a lecture, according to Associate Dean of Students and member of the Family Weekend Planning Committee Steven Freck.
“It should be a good opportunity for students, faculty, staff and everyone who attends… just to hear a little bit more about Bill Nye’s story and then some of his passion areas,” Freck said. “It will be set up more as a conversation… It is going to be a moderated conversation and not a lecture.”
Vice President of Corporate and Community Partnerships Andrew Kocher said Nye was originally scheduled to visit UIndy in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the event back.
The University Events web page says that UIndy Events’ collective goal is to have students, staff and the community to engage more in diverse and versatile topics, while also opening up opportunities to learn and grow. Additionally, the university’s two goals for the “Making Our Way Home ” series from 2020 through 2022 are social responsibility and critical thinking.
“His [Nye] background and his encouragement that people take a scientific approach to problem-solving hits those two learning goals,” Freck said. “I would say when you look at our typical speaker lineup, I think Bill [Nye] has a unique perspective, compared to some of the other speakers we’ve had…. We don’t always have leading scientists in their field here; we have lots of folks, but it’s going to be unique in that approach.”
Leading up to the event, Bill Nye’s documentary, “Bill Nye: Science Guy,” will be shown in UIndy Hall in the Schwitzer Student Center on Wed. Sept. 14 at 8:30 p.m., according to Freck. Students who attend will be eligible to earn Lecture and Performance (L/P) credit.
According to an email sent from UIndy Events on Aug. 17, there is a limited number of tickets left available to students, and prices will increase on Fri. Sept. 2 at midnight.
“I just want to make sure students realize that they have the opportunity to come and participate in the event…,” Kocher said. “So I’d love to say if you haven’t already, get your tickets.”
Tickets can be purchased online by students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community at the University Events website. Questions about the event should be directed to events@uindy.edu or tickets@uindy.edu.
