News
2009 Series to Feature Jay Leno and Bob and Lee Woodruff
Salem State College announces the speakers for the 2009 Series. Television host and comedian Jay Leno will perform on April 6, 2009, and husband and wife Bob and Lee Woodruff will share their inspiring story at the second Series event on September 22, 2009. Both programs begin at 8 pm and will be held in Salem State's O'Keefe Sports Center, 225 Canal Street. Subscription tickets are available for purchase now by calling 978.542.7555.
An Evening with JAY LENO: April 6, 2009 // 8 pm
Though some might be intimidated following in the footsteps of legendary late-night television hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson, stand-up comic Jay Leno embraced the challenge and has succeeded in his own right. Taking over The Tonight Show in 1992, the Andover native has guided the late-night talkfest to numerous Emmy awards, two TV Guide Awards, a coveted star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and in January 2009, Leno was named "Top Television Personality" in a Harris Poll.
A graduate of Boston's Emerson College, the young Leno honed his talent during high school and later as an East Coast stand-up comic. His start, however, was right here on Boston's North Shore. The year was 1972 and the place was the now legendary Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike, owned by jazz icon Lennie Sogoloff. From 1951 to 1972, Lennie introduced the region to the Count Basie Band, the Buddie Rich Band, and singers Mae Arnette, Stan Kenton and Duke Ellington, among many others. Appearing at Lennie's would be one of Leno's first big breaks.
A comedian noted for his keen observations of people and current events, Leno has appeared in hundreds of comedy shows around the United States and abroad. He remains passionate about performing in front of live audiences and appears regularly in Las Vegas, on college campuses and in other venues.
Jay Leno will continue to host The Tonight Show until May 29 of this year. Come fall, he will debut a primetime weeknight talk show on NBC.
All profits from "An Evening with Jay Leno" will support student scholarships at Salem State College to honor his close relationship with Lennie Sogoloff and his late wife Barbara. Mr. Sogoloff, who owned the legendary North Shore jazz club Lennie's-on-the-Turnpike, gave Jay Leno one of his first big breaks.
BOB and LEE WOODRUFF: September 22, 2009 // 8 pm
Just one month after being named co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight in December 2005, Bob Woodruff--longtime national and international news correspondent for the station--suffered traumatic head injuries when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Taji, Iraq.
Together with wife Lee, a contributing editor for ABC's Good Morning America, Woodruff published In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing in February 2007. This moving story of their family's long journey back from Bob's injury has put a familiar face on the serious issue of traumatic brain injury among veterans and others who live with this life-changing affliction.
Returning to ABC following his recovery, he now reports on a variety of international and national stories, and continues to cover issues that focus attention on the needs of veterans. He also anchors "Focus Earth with Bob Woodruff," a new Discovery Channel, Planet Green weekly news program. The recipient of numerous awards for his work, Woodruff won a Peabody Award in 2008 for Wounds of War: The Long Road Home for Our Nation's Veterans. He is also a 2008 recipient of the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism.
Together with her husband, Lee has appeared on national media to talk about their book and her husband's recovery. In late April, her new book Perfectly Imperfect: A Life in Progress will be released. They have also founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation to help wounded service members and their families receive the long-term care they need and assist them in successfully reintegrating into their communities.
Tickets
Subscription tickets to the 2009 Salem State College Series are now on sale. Subscriptions, for both presentations, range in price from $45 per person (general admission), $100 (reserved seating) and $120 (premium seating) and are available by calling the Series Box Office at 978.542.7555.
Individual tickets sales for Jay Leno begin on March 2 and the prices are $15 (high school or college student with valid ID), $30 (general admission) and $65 (reserved seating). Woodruff individual tickets are also on sale as of March 2 and cost: $10 (high school or college student with valid ID), $20 (general admission), $40 (reserved floor seating), and $65 (premium floor seating). Individual tickets can be purchased at MKtix.com or by calling the Series Box Office at 978.542.7555.
Sponsors
The Presenting Sponsor for the 2009 Series is Giant Glass (1.800.54.GIANT) and the Featured Sponsor is Cranney Home Services (cranneyhomeservices.com).
About the Salem State College Series
In 1982, Salem State College invited President Gerald Ford, former secretary of state Henry Kissinger and renowned journalist Douglas Kiker to speak at the college during that academic year. Each of their presentations was open to the public, and the response was tremendous. Thus was born the Salem State College Series.
In the 27 years since, ever-larger audiences have enjoyed the opportunity to hear presidents, press secretaries and prime ministers; activists, actors and authors; legendary figures from the worlds of sports, politics and science; and authors, columnists and journalists. The Salem State College Series stands now as one of the premier continuously running college lecture series in the country, attracting more than 7,000 attendees to its two annual presentations.
The Series is a project of the Salem State College Foundation, Inc. As a self-supporting community enrichment program, the Series assists the college in fulfilling its public education mission. The Foundation is grateful to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have enabled the Series to grow and prosper through their ongoing financial support.