August 20, 1984 press release

Towson State University MEDIA RELEASE University Relations/Towson State University Towson, Maryland 21204/Phone (301) 321-2230 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 20, 1984 CONTACT: Katie Ryan University Relations (301) 321-2230 TOWSON STATE UNIVERSITY SPEAKER SERIES TO FEATURE SMEAL AND LINDAHL, BUCHWALD, BUCKLEY AND DERSHOWITZ Towson State University kicks off its 1984-85 speaker series with a debate on "Sexual Crime" on Sunday, September 30 at 7:30 p.m. The discussants will be Eleanor Smeal, former president of the National Organization for Women, and Judith Lindahl, defense attorney for one of the defendants at the infamous New Bedford rape trial. Ms. Lindahl defensed Victor Rapozo, one of the men accused and later convicted of raping a woman in Big Dan's Tavern. Ms. Smeal is a well-known advocate for women's rights. The discussion moderator will be Richard Vatz, associate professor at Towson State. The debate is sponsored by the Student Government Association of Towson State, which is also sponsoring political humorist Art Buchwald on November 4, just two days before the presidential election. A subscription to the speakers eries, which will include Alan Dershowitz and William Buckley int he spring, is available for $20. Preferred seating will be given to series subscribers. Mr. Dershowitz is a Harvard law professor who has served on the defense team of Claus Von Bulow. He is considered one of the leading jurists in the country today. Mr. Dershowitz will speak on Sunday, march 3; Mr. Buckley, political commentator, author, and host of the PBS program "Firing Line," will speak on Sunday, April 4. Negotiations are continuing to book another political leader to debate with Mr. Buckley. The university has been talking with George McGovern, Tip O'Neil and Ramsel Clarke. Tickets for the individual speakers will be available. To receive a brochure on the entire series, call 321-2711. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Towson State University box office, 321-2244. -30- 84-204