Russert

Tim Russert, the popular moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press television program, will be the guest speaker when the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry returns to Indianapolis on Feb. 12.

For the second consecutive year, the event will be at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds from11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to Donya Lester, executive secretary of Purdue’s Agricultural Alumni Association.

“Certainly, we were concerned with our decision to move the event away from campus to the Indiana State Fairgrounds last year,” Lester says.

“But we had the largest crowd in the history of the event last year at the Marsh Blue Ribbon Pavilion. Bringing the Fish Fry back to Indianapolis this year was an easy decision to make, especially since we had such overwhelmingly positive feedback from so many of our guests. And when you add an entertaining speaker like Tim Russert to the mix, I think our guests are in for another great event.”

Russert has received 33 honorary doctorate degrees from American colleges and universities. He is a political analyst for NBC Nightly News and the Today Show. He anchors The Tim Russert Show, a weekly interview program on CNBC, and is a contributing anchor for MSNBC. Russert also serves as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief of NBC News.

Russert follows the husband-and-wife political team of James Carville and Mary Matalin, guest speakers at last year’s Fish Fry.

“Our Fish Fry audience is politically astute as well as politically active,” Lester says. “Russert has interviewed all of the policymakers who impact their lives and careers. And, he is a good fit with our audience. I think many of our alumni will feel a certain kinship with Tim Russert.”

If time permits, Lester says Russert will entertain questions from the audience. Tickets for the event are $20 and must be purchased in advance. To order tickets, contact the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association, (765) 494-8593, or e-mail debby@purdue.edu.

A printable ticket order form can be found at: http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/agalumni/fishfry05.html

Child care is available during the Fish Fry, but reservations are required. Reserved parking also will be available this year, priced at $5 and $10, and it must be purchased in advance.

The Fish Fry will follow the Agriculture Forecast meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Edy’s Grand Hall.

Admission to the forecast is free, and it is open to the public. The forecast will conclude in time for participants to attend the Fish Fry.

Contact Lester at lesterd@purdue.edu