Best-selling author to speak at Wake Forest Convocation Sept. 28
Legal scholar Stephen Carter, whose 1993 best seller “The Culture of Disbelief” focused the country’s attention on the role of religious belief in public life, will speak at Wake Forest University’s Opening Convocation Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. in Wait Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
Stephen CarterCarter’s speech is titled, “Ethics, Religion and Politics in American Life.” Those topics are also the focus of his new book, “God’s Name in Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics,” to be released by Basic Books on Oct. 1.
Carter is an observer of contemporary American issues including affirmative action, race, democracy and religion. The New York Times has called him “one of the nation’s leading public intellectuals,” and he was selected by Time magazine as one of the 50 leaders of the next century.
Carter’s Sept. 28 appearance at Wake Forest is part of the university’s 2000-2001 Year of Ethics and Honor.
Carter writes frequently for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic and The New Yorker. He is also a frequent guest on the television shows “Charlie Rose,” “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” and “Face the Nation.”
A prolific author, Carter has published several books including “Civility: Manners, Morals and the Etiquette of Democracy” and the 1997 book, “Integrity,” which explores what he considers to be the most important element of good character. He has also written numerous other nonfiction books, including “Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby” in 1991.
At Yale Law School, Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law. He teaches courses on constitutional law, intellectual property, and law and religion. He was a law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and was appointed by President George Bush to the National Commission on Judicial Discipline and Removal.
In addition to Carter’s speech, the theme year at Wake Forest will include a film series, a panel discussion on business ethics, a lecture on athletics and ethics, a symposium on law and morality, and several other events designed to explore issues related to ethics and honor.
Additional information about the theme year’s events are posted on the “Ethics and Honor” Web page at www.wfu.edu/ethics. The Year of Ethics and Honor is the fifth theme year celebrated at Wake Forest. Previously, the university has celebrated Science and Technology: the Next Millennium (1999-00), the Year of Globalization and Diversity (1998-99), the Year of Religion (1997-98) and the Year of the Arts (1996-97).
Note: Carter will be available for advance telephone interviews the week of Sept. 18. He will also be available for interviews immediately following his Convocation speech. Please contact the News Service at 758-5237 to arrange an interview.
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