Actor to speak at Centre Feb. 15

RELEASED: Dec. 12, 2002

DANVILLE, KY—James Earl Jones is at the pinnacle of his profession. He's a star actor, narrator and lecturer.

But he had to fight to get to the top. And its Jones' journey that most interests Centre student Sean Smith.

"There are lots of people excited about him coming," said Smith, a junior from Louisville. "I think that it's very important to have him on our campus. People are more likely to listen to a person who's been through some of the same struggles, if not more struggles, and made it to the top of his occupation. I think that he'll bring a different view than many people at Centre have heard. I know that he had to tackle a lot of problems, including a stuttering problem, in order to get to the top. I'm eager to hear his story."

Jones will speak at Centre College's Norton Center for the Arts and take part in other events Feb. 15 as part of a community Black History Month celebration. Jones' address will deal with the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other topics.

Jones' visit is part of a month-long schedule of events leading up to Danville's 10th annual Heritage Festival. The Heritage Festival, a multicultural event, will be held Feb. 28-March 2.

Smith, president of Centre's Diversity Student Union, said he particularly looks forward to Jones' lecture on Dr. King.

"What Martin Luther King did was special and took more courage than many people have inside of them," he said. "Martin Luther King and, towards the end of his life, Malcom X, both upheld the importance of diversity."

Jones has appeared in such smash-hit movies as A Field of Dreams, Patriot Games, Coming to America and The Hunt for Red October. Aside from starring in dozens of movies, he has appeared in television shows and in Broadway productions and published a critically acclaimed book, James Earl Jones: Voices and Silences, in 1997.

But Jones is possibly best known for his distinctive voice that can be heard in commercials and as the voice for CNN. He is also the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy.

Before the 8 p.m. program, Centre will present Jones with the honorary degree doctor of humane letters.
"We are extremely excited and honored to have James Earl Jones visit Centre College and Boyle County," said Centre president John Roush.

Tickets are on sale. The one-day visit by Jones includes a 5 p.m. dinner at Cowan Dining Commons, the lecture at the Norton Center's Newlin Hall at 8 p.m., and a private reception.

A premium ticket, which includes all three events, is on sale for $100. This ticket also includes orchestra cabaret seating. Tickets for the dinner and lecture are $35, and a ticket for the lecture only is $20.

Tickets are available through the Norton Center box office by calling (859) 236-4692 or toll-free at (877) 448-7469. Box office hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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