Bill Nye, the Science Guy, to Speak at Barnhill Arena

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Bill Nye, the Science Guy.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Bill Nye — who has spent the past 25 years combining humor, a deep understanding of science, and a knack for explaining how things work in the persona of “The Science Guy” — will appear at the University of Arkansas as part of this year’s student Distinguished Lecture Series.

The free public lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, in Barnhill Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. No tickets are required and everyone is invited to attend.

Bill Nye is a scientist, educator, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, with a self-proclaimed mission to help people everywhere understand and appreciate science.

He was a student of Carl Sagan at Cornell University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He worked about a dozen years as an engineer at Boeing before going into show business – first doing stand-up comedy, and later on Seattle television, where he developed the persona of “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” now a trademarked name. He eventually developed his show of the same name on PBS, explaining science to a generation of young people, and making them laugh at the same time. Parents enjoyed the show, too. The 100 episodes of Bill Nye the Science Guy ran on public television from 1993-1998, earning seven national Emmy Awards for writing, performing, and producing.

Nye has also written several books about science, aimed at a pre-teen audience.

Nye has remained active in television, with everything from The 100 Greatest Discoveries the Science Channel, guest-starring roles on the drama Numb3rs, and as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

As an inventor he holds several patents, including one for an educational magnifying glass made by filling a clear plastic bag with water, and another for an improved type of ballet shoes.

Bill Nye has received honorary doctorate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Goucher College, Johns Hopkins University, Willamette University and Lehigh University. He received the 2010 Humanist of the Year Award from the American Humanist Association.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is a student-sponsored program. Speakers are chosen by a committee of students, faculty and staff, and the events are funded by a student-approved fee, appropriated by the Programs Allocation Board.