Pool tricks, classroom treats and a pre-Halloween excursion into the murderous mind are among the remaining offerings in the fall lecture series organized by Pennsylvania College of Technology's Student Activities Office.
One of the most anticipated events is an appearance by Dr. Jack Levin, a nationally renowned expert on serial killers, scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, in the auditorium at Klump Academic Center. In a startling, even shocking presentation, he holds a magnifying glass to the minds and motives of such vicious killers as Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and The Unabomber.
Having written the pioneering book profiling the serial killer more than a decade ago (along with Dr. James Alan Fox), Levin now discusses their latest sequel, Overkill: Mass Murder and Serial Killing Exposed. Their 1996 book, Killer on Campus, examines the gory and hideous murders of five college students in Gainesville, Fla.
With amazing insight and sparing no detail, Levin's presentation relies on firsthand experiences with serial killers, their families, and their surviving victims, as well as his work as a consultant in related investigations and trials. His fascinating and spine-chilling program, enhanced by color slides, has attracted large and enthusiastic crowds at campuses around the country. Advance interest at Penn College prompted Student Activities to schedule the lecture for the auditorium.
Rounding out the fall lecture season are:
Better Grades in Less Time Gary Tuerack 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, Penn's Inn (Back by Popular Demand)
Tuerack, who has appeared at such universities as Harvard and MIT, is the author of "Better Grades in Less Time" and founder of Tuerack Training International. The American Seminar Leaders Association calls him "one of the world's most respected authorities and trainers on speed reading and mental power development."
As a child, Tuerack was an extremely slow reader and struggled in school. In order to overcome that difficulty, he developed a way to triple his reading speed, increase his grades, and is now an Ivy League graduate. Today, in an engaging and interactive presentation, he speaks at universities and colleges around the country showing students how to save hours of wasted time through reading faster and increasing comprehension.
Students increase their concentration, their grades, their reading ability, and their desire to succeed in life. It's uplifting, educational and inspiring!
Comedian/Speaker Bernie McGrenahan 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 (Alcohol Awareness Week), Penn's Inn
As a professional stand-up comedian whose touring companions have included R.E.M. and Boyz 2 Men, McGrenahan has traveled the globe making people laugh. However, no one was laughing when he was incarcerated for six months in the Los Angeles County Jail after his third conviction for driving while intoxicated.
McGrenahan shares stories of growing up in an alcoholic environment, his brother's suicide due to drug and alcohol abuse and his journey to sobriety. Clean and sober for 10 years, he shows why comedy is a great way to get a tough message heard!
Billiards and Pool Tricks Tom "Dr. Cue" Rossman 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, Bush Campus Center Game Room Rossman, one of American's premier billiards player and pool trick-shot artists, will amaze you with his shots and teach you some of his secrets. There are only a few good seats, so show up early!
Admission to all events is free.