Pulitzer Prize-nominee, newspaper columnist Carl Hiaasen to speak

October 18, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla.— Three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen will speak at 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Phillips Center at the University of Florida. Hiaasen’s talk, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by ACCENT Speakers Bureau.
Hiaasen, a 1974 graduate of UF’s College of Journalism and Communication, has written more than 1,300 pieces exposing land corruption scams, drug smuggling rings, dangerous doctors and corrupt politicians. A Florida native, Hiaasen began his career as a reporter for Cocoa Today of Cocoa, Fla., and then joined The Miami Herald in 1979 as a general assignment reporter. He then went to work for the newspaper’s winning investigations team and is now known for his “environmental thrillers.”
Since the 1960s, ACCENT Speaker’s Bureau, the largest student-run speakers bureau in the nation, has been bringing controversial and influential speakers to the university, with the intent of further educating the student body, outside of the classroom, on current topics and controversies. Past speakers include presidents, prime ministers, and entertainment, media, business and sports legends.

For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, contact 352-392-1663, ext. 302 or 352-392-2567 (TDD). E-mail accommodate@sg.ufl.edu or contact the Florida Relay System at 1-800-955-8771 at least 72 hours before the event. Real Time Transcription will be provided. For more information, call ACCENT at 352-392-1665, ext. 306 or the information line at ext. 411. Visit the Web at http://www.sg.ufl.edu/accent/ or e-mail ACCENT at accent@sg.ufl.edu.