Internationally known political pundits, strategists and power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin will participate in a wide-ranging discussion of the current state of politics as Northeastern Illinois University kicks off the Daniel L. Goodwin Distinguished Lecture Series on Feb. 2. Award-winning Chicago journalist and Northeastern alumnus Thomas Corfman will moderate the event.
The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago, and is followed by a book signing from 8:45-9:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public, though seating is limited. Parking will be complimentary in all Main Campus parking lots during the event.
Known as “The Ragin’ Cajun,” Carville is America’s best-known political consultant, having managed numerous successful political campaigns, including the election of President Bill Clinton in 1992. In recent years, Carville has focused on campaigns in more than 23 countries around the world. He also is a best-selling author, actor, producer, talk-show host, speaker and restaurateur.
A native of Illinois, Matalin is one of the most celebrated and popular conservative voices in the United States. After successful work in Illinois campaigns, Matalin moved on to Washington, D.C., where she served under President Ronald Reagan, worked as campaign director for President George H.W. Bush and assisted President George W. Bush. She also is a best-selling author, radio host, speaker and publisher.
Today, Carville and Matalin live in New Orleans with their two daughters.
Corfman, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern in 1973, is an experienced reporter and editor on topics ranging from race relations to real estate. He has worked at The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Reporter and Crain’s Chicago Business. Before turning to journalism, Corfman was an attorney in private practice, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights cases. He aslo is the spokesman for Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.
The Daniel L. Goodwin Distinguished Lecture Series was created in 2015 by Daniel L. Goodwin, Chairman and CEO of Inland Real Estate Group of Companies, as part of his historic $2.5 million commitment to Northeastern Illinois University. The lecture series fund provides support to bring prominent and well-respected thinkers to the University for presentations in conferences, seminars and major lectures. Goodwin is a graduate of Northeastern and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and education.
With an enrollment of about 10,000 students, Northeastern Illinois University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs. In September 2016, Northeastern earned U.S. News & World Report’s No. 1 ranking for students who graduate with the least amount of debt among Midwest regional universities. The magazine also named Northeastern, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, one of the most diverse universities in the Midwest.
