Joe Klein, bestselling author and Time Magazine columnist, will be the opening speaker at the annual Jepson Leadership Forum on September 19, according to a university press release.
But this won't be Klein's first trip to Richmond. Last June, he traveled to Virginia during a tour through various political swing states, according to an article published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. While in town, Klein discussed politics at the McShin Foundation in North Richmond, the article said.
Klein is an experienced campaign reporter with 10 presidential elections under his belt, according to the press release. He writes an award-wining weekly column for Time magazine called "In the Arena," which covers national and international affairs, according to his biography.
Among the six books he has published, Klein anonymously wrote "Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics," which is about Bill Clinton, said Al Goethals, a leadership studies professor. The book later became an Academy Award-nominated film, according to the press release.
Klein was chosen to be the opening speaker partly because he is a recognized figure that will generate community interest, Goethals said.
"[Klein] is an interesting speaker that has enough name recognition that people from the community would be interested to hear what he has to say," he said.
The theme of this year's Forum will be "Groundbreakers: People, Ideas and Innovations That Changed the World," according to the Jepson School webpage.
The leadership school and the journalism departments co-sponsored the event, said journalism chairman Mike Spear.
The event is free and will be held at the Jepson Alumni Center, although tickets are required.
Contact Collegian reporter Mara Lugo at mara.lugorudner@richmond.edu
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