Press release from IPFW:
IPFW Omnibus Series Features Popular Travel Writer
(February 1, 2011) – What better person to talk about “Perspectives on Adventure, Culture, and a Changing World” than travel writer, public television and public radio personality Rick Steves? Steves will be the first Omnibus speaker in 2011 on Wednesday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m., in the Rhinehart Music Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). No tickets are required for this lecture.
Rick Steves advocates smart, affordable, perspective-broadening travel. As host and writer of the popular public television series, Rick
Steves’ Europe, and best-selling author of 40 European travel books, he encourages Americans to travel as “temporary locals.” He helps American travelers connect much more intimately and authentically with Europe—and Europeans—for a fraction of what mainstream tourists pay.During the past 20 years, Steves has hosted over 100 travel shows for public television. He has created two award-winning specials: Rick Steves’ European Christmas and the ground-breaking Rick Steves’ Iran. Spawned by his popular weekly radio program, Travel with Rick Steves, he also created a series of audio walking tour podcasts for museums and neighborhoods in Paris, Rome, Florence, Venice, and London. In addition to his guidebooks, TV, and radio work, Steves is a syndicated newspaper columnist with Tribune Media Services.
In 2009, Steves tackled a new genre of travel writing. In Travel as a Political Act, he reflects on his personal experiences and broadened perspectives, suggesting how travel can be a significant force for peace and understanding in the world.
Steves took his first trip to Europe in 1969, visiting piano factories with his father, a piano importer. He began traveling on his own at age 18, funding his trips by teaching piano lessons. Today he runs a successful European tour program with more than 300 departures,
attracting 10,000 travelers annually.The IPFW Omnibus Lecture Series brings six distinguished speakers to the university and the northeast Indiana community each year.
The series, in its 16th year, is committed to presenting diverse perspectives through educated, respected, and entertaining speakers.
Omnibus is made possible with the support of the English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation and publicized with support from Northeast Indiana Public Radio and WANE-TV NewsChannel 15. The Steves lecture is sponsored by Northeast Indiana Public Radio and WFWA PBS39.The 2010-2011 Omnibus Lecture Series is held in The John and Ruth Rhinehart Music Center in the acoustically superb, 1,600-seat Auer
Performance Hall. The music center is located on the north end of campus behind the Medical Education Center, in the arts plaza next to Williams Theatre and the Visual Arts Building.Due to campus construction, attendees should plan to arrive early, allowing additional time for traffic and parking. Only drop-off and
eight handicapped parking spaces will be available directly in front of the music center building.For location or parking maps, more information, or a downloadable speaker photo and bio, visit www.omnibuslectures.org or contact University Relations and Communications at 260-481-6808.