BLOOMINGTON – Michael Smerconish, one of America’s best talk show hosts, author and columnist, will headline Ivy Tech Bloomington’s 15th annual O’Bannon Institute for Community Service fundraising dinner on Thursday, April 26, 2018. Proceeds will benefit Ivy Tech’s Center for Civic Engagement.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming important broadcast program host, Michael Smerconish, to Ivy Tech Bloomington’s signature event,” said Chancellor Jennie Vaughan. “He was the first radio program host to interview President Barack Obama live from the White House, as well as having interviewed other Presidents and Vice Presidents ranging from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush, and from Al Gore to Joe Biden.”
Smerconish is the host of of The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM Channel 124, the host of CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday mornings, newspaper columnist and author. He is often recognized for his radio program work. In 2011, the National Association of Broadcasters selected him as a “Marconi Award” finalist in the category of Best Network/Syndicated Host. He has often been the recipient of several (Philadelphia) Achievement in Radio awards, including “Best Talk Show Host” and “Best Evening Program.” Philadelphia Magazine has named him the city’s best talk show host, as well as one of the city’s most powerful citizens.
On August 20, 2009, Smerconish became the first radio host to interview President Barack Obama live from the White House. The 35-minute interview was conducted in the Diplomatic Reception Room and televised live on MSNBC, CNN and FOX News. Smerconish has interviewed President Obama on seven different occasions. He has also interviewed Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Joe Biden. Smerconish hosts a weekly Saturday TV program on CNN fittingly called Smerconish and in the past has been an MSNBC contributor and frequent guest-host of Hardball for Chris Matthews. He has been a guest on virtually every television program where politics is discussed, including: the NBC Today show, Colbert Report, O’Reilly Factor, Larry King Live, The View, and Real Time With Bill Maher.
Smerconish is the author of six books, two of them New York Times’ best sellers. He donated all author proceeds from three of those manuscripts to charity.
The O’Bannon Institute for Community Service (www.ivytech.edu/obannon/) at Ivy Tech Bloomington was established in 2004 as an annual opportunity for the community to come together to discuss issues of importance. Previous speakers at the Institute include U.S. senators, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, governors, political advisers and columnists, a presidential candidate, and former first lady of the United States Laura W. Bush.
The fundraising dinner featuring Smerconish will take place on Ivy Tech’s main campus at 200 Daniels Way on the west side of Bloomington, in Shreve Hall, located in the Cook Pavilion. Individual tickets cost $100 and Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsorships are available.
To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, visit www.ivytech.edu/obannon and click on tickets. For more information, contact Tina Phelps at (812) 330-6001 or tphelps@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
