Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor for The New York Times and puzzle master on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, will give a public talk at ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ University Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m.
²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ Speakers Committee, a student-run organization, is sponsoring his talk, which will be held in the ballroom at the Student Life Center located at 310 25th Ave. S.
Earlier in the day, Shortz will sign books on campus from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ Bookstore. Both events are open to the public. For more information about the bookstore, visit.
Tickets for the lecture are available now at the university’s box office or any Ticketmaster outlet. General public tickets are $10. Tickets may also be purchased at or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Tickets are free to ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ students, faculty and staff. Only one free ticket may be picked up with a ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ identification card at the Sarratt Student Center box office.
Non-²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ students with their college or university identification cards may purchase tickets for $5 at the Sarratt box office or any Ticketmaster outlet.
Shortz is an enigmatologist – the only academically accredited puzzle master in the world. He designed his own major program at , which in 1974 led to his one-of-a-kind degree in enigmatology, the study of puzzles.
He went on to receive a law degree from the , but following graduation skipped the bar exam and began his career in puzzles at PennyPress magazines. He worked at Games magazine for 15 years, becoming editor from 1989 to 1993. He has been the crossword puzzle editor of The New York Times since 1993.
The founder and director of the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, Shortz is author or editor of more than 100 books. A member of the , he currently serves as the league’s historian. Shortz is the focus of the 2006 documentary film Wordplay. He counts President Bill Clinton, filmmaker Ken Burns and comedian Jon Stewart among his many fans.
Media Contact: Princine Lewis, (615) 322-NEWS
princine.lewis@vanderbilt.edu