News Release

EVENT NEWS / September 26, 2007

'The Deep Dark' Author Gregg Olsen to Speak at Boise State University Oct. 9 as Part of First Year Read Program

Gregg Olsen, the bestselling author of “The Deep Dark,” will be on the Boise State University campus Oct. 9-10 as part of the First Year Read program.

“The Deep Dark” tells the true story of the 1972 Sunshine Mine Fire in Kellogg, Idaho, which killed 91 miners in one of the worst mining accidents in United States history. The Seattle Times called “The Deep Dark” “a vividly detailed, heartbreaking tale about a dark, alien place, the people who loved working there and a town that has never been the same.”

“The Deep Dark” was chosen as this year’s selection for Boise State’s First Year Read program, which is designed to reinforce academic values, engage students in discussions on pertinent issues, and build campus community. Copies of the book were given to first-year Boise State students over the summer, and students have been discussing “The Deep Dark” and the issues it raises in classes during the fall semester.

Olsen will speak with students and faculty during his visit Oct. 9-10, visiting several classes and participating in several events that are open to the public.

• Panel discussion, 3 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Lookout Room. This discussion will feature Bob Launhardt, the former safety engineer for the Sunshine Mine; Ron Flores, a survivor; and Peggy DeLange-White, a surviving family member of one of the miners who died.

• Keynote address with Gregg Olsen, 7 p.m. Oct. 9, Student Union Special Events Center. Olsen is journalist and investigative reporter who is the author of eight books. He has been featured on numerous television programs, including “Good Morning America,” “The Early Show,” “48 Hours” and many publications, including The New York Times, USA Today, People and more.

• Public reading of “The Deep Dark,” Oct. 8-9, Albertsons Library. Librarians will read from the book over the course of two days.

• Parking is free in PS2 for the panel and the lecture - that is the structure on the corner of University & Lincoln.

For more information about the First Year Read program, visit http://firstyearread.boisestate.edu.

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Media Contact: Julie Hahn, University Communications, (208) 426-5540, juliehahn@boisestate.edu

For the 10th time in the last 11 years, Boise State University has set an all-time record for Idaho higher education institutions with an enrollment of 19,540 – an overall increase of 3.5 percent. A record freshman class of 2,280 students is also the most academically talented group ever to enter Boise State, including 12 National Merit finalists.


 

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Last reviewed on Thursday, September 27, 2007