Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "For One More Day," will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in Indiana State University's Tilson Auditorium as part of the University Speakers Series. A book signing and reception in Heritage Lounge is planned immediately following his talk. Both the presentation and reception are free and open to the public.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "For One More Day," will speak at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in Indiana State University's Tilson Auditorium as part of the University Speakers Series. A book signing and reception in Heritage Lounge is planned immediately following his talk. Both the presentation and reception are free and open to the public.
A writer and broadcaster, Albom has become an inspiration to millions around the world.
His newest release, "Have a Little Faith: A True Story of a Last Request," is a true life story -- Albom's quest to honor a last request and send a beloved rabbi off to heaven. Along the way, Albom - who walked away from a deeply religious background as a young man - rekindles his faith by sitting with and caring for the wise, funny, but slowly decaying man of the cloth. Together, they explore the things that pull people apart about faith, as well as the universal beliefs that bring people together.
"Tuesdays with Morrie" became an international phenomenon with more than 14 million copies sold and is now the bestselling memoir of all time. In 2003 Albom's first novel, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," debuted at No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list and sold nearly five million copies in its first year. "For One More Day," explores the themes of family, divorce, and lost loved ones.
A columnist for the Detroit Free Press, Albom also hosts two radio shows that originate in Detroit on WJR-AM and reaches 38 states and appears on ESPN's "Sports Reporters."
He is a member of The Rock Bottom Remainders, a band that includes some of today's most talented authors. Between them, they've published more than 150 titles, sold more than 150 million books, and been translated into more than 25 languages.
Albom, who plays keyboard, joins Dave Barry, Roy Blount, Jr., Greg Iles, Stephen King, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, James McBride, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson and Scott Turow in performing and raising more than $1.5 million to support various causes, including literacy initiatives and book festivals.
An accomplished songwriter and lyricist, Albom wrote the song "Cookin' For Two" for a television movie directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger that aired in the mid-1990s. Recently, he wrote the lyrics for a song recorded by singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, with David Crosby on backup vocals and comedian David Letterman contributing some surprise vocals as well.
A Philadelphia native, he graduated from Brandeis University with a sociology major and earned master's eegrees in journalism and business administration from Columbia University in New York City. His background includes stints as an amateur boxer and nightclub singer and pianist. He once played as a warm-up act for comedian Gabe Kaplan.
Albom has founded three charities in the metropolitan Detroit area. The Dream Fund, which he founded in 1989, allows disadvantaged children to become involved with the arts. A Time To Help, founded in 1998, brings volunteers together once a month to tackle various projects in Detroit, including staffing shelters, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and operating meals on wheels programs for the elderly. S.A.Y. Detroit, which he founded in 2006, aids the homeless.
More information about the 2009-10 University Speakers Series can be found at http://www.indstate.edu/speaker/ .
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Contact and writer: Paula Meyer, ISU Communications & Marketing, (812) 237-3783 or paula.meyer@indstate.edu