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Inside Iowa State
May 1, 1998

Cosby shows to launch Carver year

by Karen Bolluyt, Ag Information Service

Iowa State students will kick off a new academic year and a university celebration of George Washington Carver with a free performance by comedian Bill Cosby.

Cosby will appear at Stephens Auditorium on Sunday, Aug. 30, for a free comedy show for Iowa State students in the evening and a show for the general public earlier in the day. Ticket information for the afternoon performance will be announced in June.

The Cosby event will kick off a year-long celebration of George Washington Carver's life. The celebration, "Inspiring Students to Become Their Best -- The Legacy of George Washington Carver," will shape many university events and outreach activities, and include a multicultural exhibit and performance series, said Murray Black-welder, vice president for external affairs.

The Carver activities include a lecture series, a Carver display tour in Iowa and a Carver theme for the College of Agriculture's state fair booth.

The College of Agriculture also will be in the spotlight during the year, since Carver received bachelor's (1894) and master's (1896) degrees in agriculture from Iowa State.

Agriculture dean David Topel said Carver's legacy adds extra meaning to current programs that emphasize adding value in Iowa agriculture.

ISU administrators worked with the Government of the Student Body (GSB) and the Committee on Lectures to bring Cosby to campus to do a free show for students. Bryan Burkhardt, 1998- 99 GSB president, will serve on a committee developing the Carver celebration.

Members of the university community interested in serving on the committee should contact Blackwelder.

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