City of Newark mayor Cory Booker to be
fall speaker in Distinguished Speaker Series

The State University of New York at New Paltz welcomes Cory Booker, mayor of the City of Newark, as the third speaker in the college’s Distinguished Speaker Series in October.

Booker will present his speech, “How to Change the World with Your Bare Hands,” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in McKenna Theatre.

Since taking the oath of office as mayor on July 1, 2006, Booker has worked toward transforming New Jersey’s largest city. Under his leadership, Newark’s mission is to set a national standard for urban transformation by marshalling its resources to achieve security, economic abundance and an environment that is nurturing and empowering for individuals and families.

Booker’s political career began in 1998, after serving as Staff Attorney for the Urban Justice Center in Newark. He rose to prominence as Newark’s Central Ward Councilman. During his four years of service from 1998-2002, then-Councilman Booker earned a reputation as a leader with innovative ideas and bold actions, from increasing security in public housing to building new playgrounds. This work was the foundation for his leadership as mayor.

For his work, he has been recognized in numerous publications, including, among others, TIME, Esquire, New Jersey Monthly (naming him as one of New Jersey’s top 40 under 40), Black Enterprise (naming him to the Hot List, America’s Most Powerful Players under 40) and The New York Times Magazine.

Booker received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and completed his law degree at Yale University.

This September, Mayor Booker will be starring in a documentary series on the Sundance Channel called “Brick City,” focusing on how the City of Newark is working to become a defining example of urban transformation. “Brick City” will appear on the network in five parts beginning Sept. 21 at 10 p.m.

Booker is the third guest in the college’s Distinguished Speaker Series that began in 2008. The inaugural speaker was Dave Barry, columnist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, in November 2008. Jonathan Alter, senior editor at Newsweek, was the second speaker in April 2009. Every year for the Distinguished Speaker Series, the college hosts two well-known speakers on campus.

Tickets are available for Cory Booker online at www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries. Ticket prices are $18 for the public and $13 for faculty, staff and seniors. Tickets can be purchased by phone or in person from the Welcome Center during business hours beginning August 24, (845) 257-7869. The Welcome Center is located in the lobby of the Haggerty Administration Building.

This series is made possible in part by a generous donation from Peter and Helena Bienstock of the Shawangunk Valley Conservancy. The college welcomes corporate sponsorships for the Distinguished Speaker Series. To find out about sponsorship and corporate recognition opportunities, please contact Sally Cross, director of Development, at crosss@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-3240.

Arrangement for the appearance of Cory Booker is made through Greater Talent Network, Inc., NY, NY.

For more information about the Distinguished Speaker Series, visit www.newpaltz.edu/speakerseries.