Feb 18: Hello Dalai

One of the world's great moral leaders will be in Fort Lauderdale next week. Actually, two of them. The Dalai Lama will speak to the public on February 23 at Nova Southeastern University. And Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will do the same on February 26. The very cool thing is that I'll be going to both events. The even cooler thing is that NSU is hosting an increasingly impressive roster of speakers these days. This university seems to be growing up quickly, becoming an integral part of the fabric of South Florida. Over and over lately, I've been reading news accounts about great speakers who are coming to Nova Southeastern University or great speakers who were just there. I think NSU's speakers series makes a wonderful addition to our community's many cultural offerings.

I recall years ago when I first was aware of NSU. Quite honestly, it seemed to me like a university that resembled a community college in some ways, a minor presence in Fort Lauderdale. But my impression has changed, especially during the past few years. I'm always coming across something about NSU's plays and concerts and speakers. The school's academic quality is maturing as well, with degree programs that attract international Fulbright scholars now. NSU definitely is on my personal radar screen and I suspect many other folks around here feel the same.

These latest NSU guests are a case in point. For sheer star power among this planet's roster of speakers, the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu would have to be near the very top. As I write my blog, the Dalai Lama just met at the White House with President Obama - like, an hour ago maybe. He has long been a powerful force for compassion and nonviolence in our world, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. (Lest we imagine he's entirely above earthly concerns, though, I should note that his official website already has posted a picture of His Holiness with the prez today. He may enjoy a higher level of personal consciousness but he also knows how to get out his message.) Desmond Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize five years earlier. Like the Dalai Lama, Tutu is seen as an important voice of moral authority, a religious person who's working to abolish poverty and human rights abuses just as he once fought to end apartheid. I'm very grateful to Nova Southeastern University for bringing these great men to our area. And all the other speakers in this ongoing series. Everyone already knows Fort Lauderdale is a world-class place to party. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu are evidence that it's more than that too.