Obama adviser and former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to speak at SXU

SXU Voices and Visions Speaker Series lecture scheduled for Thurs., Oct. 20

Chicago (March 21, 2011) Robert Gibbs, longtime adviser to President Barack Obama and former White House press secretary, is the next featured lecturer in the SXU Voices and Visions Speaker Series. Gibbs will speak at 7 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 20 in the Shannon Center at Saint Xavier University’s Chicago campus, 3700 W. 103rd St.

General admission tickets are $20 plus service charge. A limited number of $200 priority tickets are available, which include priority seating and admission to an exclusive post-lecture wine and cheese reception with Gibbs. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Mon, May 2. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling (866) 468-3401.

Gibbs has been an adviser and strategist to the President since the early days of Obama's 2004 Senate race and most recently served as White House press secretary. Gibbs is one of Obama's masterminds and he can speak with great authority and accuracy from a White House insider's perspective on many issues that have crossed the President's desk. His leadership of Obama's campaigns makes him a valuable commentator on the upcoming 2012 elections.

Gibbs joined Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign as communications director in 2004 and held the same title at the onset of the 2008 presidential campaign until becoming Senior Strategist for Communications and Message during the general election. During the four years of intense campaigning and close contact, Gibbs became an integral part of Obama's team. According to The New York Times, Gibbs advised Obama on politics, strategy and messaging, and spent more time with him than any other adviser. Gibbs assumed the role of the Obama administration’s press secretary on January 20, 2009.

Gibbs also served as press secretary of John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign and previously specialized in Senate campaigns, having served as communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and for four individual Senate campaigns. Gibbs also was the press secretary of Representative Bob Etheridge.

SXU students, faculty and staff may attend the lecture for free, but must reserve a ticket online. Tickets will be available on Mon., May 2. A valid Cougar Card must be presented the night of the lecture with the ticket. Prior to his lecture, Gibbs will participate in an exclusive classroom discussion with select SXU students.

The SXU Voices and Visions Speaker Series is sponsored by University Relations and in part by the Student Government Association. For more information about the event, please contact the Office of Special Events at (773) 298-3748 or specialevents@sxu.edu.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Rick Ducat, Assistant Director of Media Relations
O: (773) 298-3325
C: (708) 306-0402
ducat@sxu.edu