FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2002

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

MAGIC JOHNSON TO GIVE BUCKSBAUM LECTURE AT DRAKE

Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson will be at Drake University on Dec. 3 to deliver the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture, "An Evening with Earvin 'Magic' Johnson: A Perspective on Living with HIV."

Beginning Friday, Nov. 1, Drake University students, faculty and staff members may pick up tickets at the Olmsted Information Center. Each individual presenting a Drake ID may obtain up to four tickets.

The general public may pick up tickets at the Olmsted Information Center beginning Saturday, Nov. 9. Each individual presenting a photo ID may obtain up to four tickets. The Olmsted Information Center is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Drake Knapp Center, 26th Street and Forest Avenue. Seating is not reserved and doors open at 6 p.m.

Johnson is known around the world for his 13-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has earned five NBA championship rings, led the Los Angeles Lakers to nine appearances in the NBA finals and was a member of the original Dream Team, which won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics. Johnson has won three MVP awards and played in 12 All-Star games.

Johnson is founder and chief executive officer of Magic Johnson Enterprises, an organization that works to revitalize neglected communities, and served as co-chair of former Vice President Al Gore's White House Community Empowerment Board to encourage community leaders and businesses to invest in neglected neighborhoods. He also has been an ambassador of peace for the United Nations, and supports organizations such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the United Negro College Fund.

The Michigan native earned his "Magic" nickname as a state champion basketball player at Everett High School in Lansing, Mich. He went on to earn an NCAA title with Michigan State in 1979.

Johnson's lecture is sponsored by the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series and the Drake Student Activities Board. The 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 long-time member of Drake's governing board. Last year's Bucksbaum lecturers were Bill Moyers and Ken Burns.

For more information, call (515) 271-3711.