For immediate release: October 15, 2008

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania’s 2008-09 Celebrity Artist Series continues with a lecture by oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m., in Carver Hall, Kenneth Gross Auditorium. A limited number of seats are available for Cousteau’s lecture, offered to commemorate the inauguration of BU’s 18th president, David L. Soltz.

For more than four decades, Cousteau has pulled from his experiences as an explorer, environmentalist, educator and filmmaker to build upon the work of his late father, ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. As a founder and president of the Ocean Futures Society, a nonprofit marine conservation and education organization, Cousteau promotes conservation, research and marine education programs worldwide.

Cousteau has produced more than 75 films and received the Emmy, Peabody Award, 7 d'Or (the French equivalent of an Emmy) and Cable ACE Award. He appeared in a DVD special feature for Pixar/Disney’s “Finding Nemo” called “Exploring the Reef with Jean-Michel Cousteau,” and was a presenter and consultant for “Sharks 3-D,” an Imax feature film.

Cousteau’s lecture is part of the week of activities leading up to the inauguration of David L. Soltz on Friday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. in the Student Recreation Center. In January, Soltz became Bloomsburg University's 18th president. He served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Central Washington University before coming to Bloomsburg University. Soltz earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctoral degree in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

All programs in the Celebrity Artist Series’ 23rd season will be presented in Carver Hall, Kenneth S. Gross Auditorium, while Haas Center for the Arts is renovated. Tickets for all events are $20 for adults and $10 for BU students and children under 12.

For information on the Celebrity Artist Series lineup and Celebrity Circle memberships or to purchase tickets, contact the box office, temporarily located in the Carver Hall lobby, at (570) 389-4409 or www.bloomu.edu/today/celebrity.php.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 8,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Professional Studies, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.