FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2002 CONTACT Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 KEN BURNS TO GIVE BUCKSBAUM LECTURE AT DRAKE Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns – acclaimed for award-winning films such as "Civil War" and "Baseball" – will give the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture on Wednesday, April 10, at Drake University. The lecture, which is free and open to the pubic, is titled "American Lives: Mark Twain, Frank Lloyd Wright and More." The event will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Drake Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Avenue. A reception and book signing will follow. From his groundbreaking film, "Brooklyn Bridge," over 20 years ago, to more recent films such as "Jazz" and "Frank Lloyd Wright," Burns is recognized as one of the most prolific documentary filmmakers in the world. He has turned his camera to significant aspects of American history and focused on the impact each piece of history has made on the current national psyche, culture and society. His most recent film, which explored the life of famous author Mark Twain, debuted on PBS in January. Burns received his B.A. in film studies and design from Hampshire College in 1975. Since then, he has received 16 honorary degrees and created 17 documentaries (five of which have been produced as highly successful books). His films have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Peabody Award, the Emmy, the Grammy, the Television Critics Association Award, the CINE Golden Eagle Award, as well as top awards at international film festivals, and been nominated for an Academy Award. The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series, established at Drake University in 1996, is made possible by a gift from Melva and the late Martin Bucksbaum, former chairman and president of General Growth Corp. and a long-time member of Drake's governing board. More than 3,000 people attended the last Bucksbaum Lecture given by television journalist Bill Moyers on Nov. 12. For more information about the April 10 lecture, call (515) 271-3994.