ACCENT Speakers Bureau

Infobox Chairman
Chair = Andrew S. Guglielmo
PrevChair = Steven Blank
Address = 306 J. Wayne Reitz Union
PO Box 118505
Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone = 352-392-1665 x306
Fax = 352-392-8072
EMail = [e-mail]
website = [http://www.accentspeakers.com accentspeakers.com]

ACCENT Speakers Bureau is the largest, student-run, speakers bureau in the nation. Created in 1967, ACCENT has brought prominent, controversial, and influential speakers to the University of Florida. ACCENT strives to bring world class programming to educate, enlighten, engage, and entertain the student body of the University of Florida. [ [http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/13/State/UF_readies_for_Kevork.shtml St.pete article about Accent] ]

ACCENT has provided the University of Florida with a plethora of big names, including past Presidents, Prime Ministers, media, business and sports legends. ACCENT brings controversial and influential speakers to the university, with the intent of further educating the student body, outside of the classroom, on current hot topics and controversies. [ACCENT Speakers Bureau. http://www.accentspeakers.com]

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History

ACCENT's speakers series was created originally as a symposium. The weekend event was started in 1967 and featured, then author, Ralph Nader and then Vice President, Richard Nixon as the headline speakers. In 1968, the symposium featured a liberal versus conservative debate. The debate was between Harry Goldin vs. James J. Kilpatrick. The symposium was accompanied by a politically charged magazine which featured writing from political science students and professors at the University of Florida. Over time, ACCENT broke away from the symposium format and turned into a year long speaker series.

Past Chairmen

Organizational information

tudent government

ACCENT is a University of Florida Student Government Agency. ACCENT has the second largest budget out of all the agencies, as well as the largest staff. Chapter 563 of the University of Florida Student Body Statues outlines the general practices of ACCENT.

taff structure

Over 50 student volunteers work with the Chairman to put time and energy to bring speakers to the University of Florida. The Chairman is required to appoint three Vice Chairs, but the remainder of the organizational structure is left up to the Chairman. Vice Chairships, Directorships, and Assistant Directorships range from productions to promotions and every job in between. Applications are usually found on the official website at the beginning of each semester.

peakers

In any given year, the Chairman must stretch the budget to bring in speakers that the Student Body would like to hear speak. While most shows are sponsored solely by ACCENT, many other student organizations turn to ACCENT for different events. Organizations like, but not limited to, Black Student Union, Jewish Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, Asian American Student Union, Islam on Campus and the Board of College Councils work with the ACCENT to bring in speakers that are both relevant to their group and hold wide appeal.

Past speakers

Aaron Karo, Adam Carolla, Adam Sandler, Alan Dershowitz, Alberto Gonzales Amir Sulaiman, Andrew Card, Andy Richter, Ann Coulter, Anthony Rapp, Ari Fleischer, Ben & Jerry, Bill Nye, Blair Witch, Bob Dole, Bob Saget, Bob Woodward, Bobby Knight, Carl Hiaasen, Chris Rock, Christopher Reeve, Dan Quayle, Dan Senor, Danny Coulson, Danny Glover, Dave Thomas, Dennis Kucinich, Diablo Cody, Dick Vitale, Don Shula, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Dr. Ruth, Elie Wiesel, Ellen DeGeneres, former President George H. Bush, former President Gerald Ford, former President Jimmy Carter, former President Bill Clinton, Gene Simmons, General Wesley Clark, George Carlin, George Stephanopolous, Governor George Pataki, Heads vs. Feds debate, Howard Zinn, Jack Ong, Jaleel White, Janet Reno, Jasmine Guy & Afeni Shakur, Jesse Jackson, Joe Wilson, Joel Siegel, Senator John Kerry, John Singleton, Jose Canseco, Josh Malina, Kerri Strug, Kevin Nealon, Kurt Vonnegut, Kweisi Mfume, Kyle Maynard, Laurie David, Lewis Black, Liz Murray, Lou Ferrigno, Loveline, Magic Johnson, Marcia Clark, Margaret Cho, Mark Sterner, Martin Luther King III, Mia Farrow, Michael Moore, Mike Reiss, Mikhail Gorbachev, Mo Rocca, The MythBusters Noam Chomsky, Oliver Stone, Omar Al-Issawi, Oprah Winfrey, Pat Buchanan, Patch Adams, Queen Latifah, Ralph Nader, Randy Haveson, Ray McGovern, Real World New Orleans, Riki Wilchins, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Ron Jeremy vs. Susan Cole, Ron Takaki, Ross Perot, Roy Firestone, Rupert Vanderpool, Sandra Bernhart, Sarah Weington, Sheryl Crow, Sheryl Swoopes, Sinbad, Sister Helen Prejean, Spike Lee, Spitfire Tour, Steve Forbes, Tom Green, Tom Wolfe, William Davis, William Shatner, Yitzak Rabin, Bob Barr

References

External links

* [http://sg.ufl.edu/accent/ Official site]
* [http://sg.ufl.edu/ University of Florida Student Government]
* [http://sg.ufl.edu/branches/legislative/constitution/SBS_500_codes.pdf Student Body Statues outlining ACCENT]
* [http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/13/State/UF_readies_for_Kevork.shtml Accent brings in Kevorkian in St. Pete Times article]