The College of Charleston Speaker Series on Public Discourse and Civility, hosted by Pulitzer Prize–winning Washington Post journalist Kathleen Parker, aims to highlight the value of civility when sharing opposing ideas.
On Nov. 2, 2023, at 7 p.m., Parker will host a discussion with Pulitzer Prize–winning author and humorist Dave Barry. This event will be held at the Sottile Theatre (44 George St.) and is free and open to the public. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Dave is a funny guy, but also a serious observer of the human (and canine) condition,” Parker observes. “I plan to plumb the depths of his observations on our nation’s and the world’s state of affairs. Tray tables in the upright position.”
Barry is the author of dozens of best-selling books and wrote a syndicated humor column that ran in more than 500 newspapers for two decades. He writes everything from fiction to nonfiction and children’s books. His most recent novel, Swamp Story, is described on his website as a “Florida caper full of oddballs and more twists and turns than a snake slithering away from a gator.” Among his many talents, Barry is a musician, and for 20 years he played lead guitar in the Rock Bottom Remainders, a band of amateur musicians who included acclaimed authors Stephen King, Amy Tan and Barbara Kingsolver.
“We are so excited to partner on this speaker series with journalist Kathleen Parker, who brings to campus some very compelling and entertaining guests,” says College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu.
Last fall, she hosted a moderated discussion with longtime political commentator Chris Matthews, former host of MSNBC’s Hardball. In 2021, she led a webinar on monuments and memorials with Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart, political commentator Michelle Bernard, RealClearPolitics Washington bureau chief Carl Cannon and Charleston attorney and historian Robert Rosen.
Parker’s partnership with the College includes hosting a special edition Speaking of … College of Charleston podcast about cannabis legislation in South Carolina with guests Senator Tom Davis, attorney Margaret Ann “Muffy” Kneece, and founder and executive director of the Veterans Alliance for Holistic Alternatives, Gary Hess.
In 2020, Parker was the featured speaker at the College’s winter commencement ceremony, during which she encouraged graduates to be brave and patient as they entered the job market.
For more information, go to the College of Charleston’s campus calendar.
