Broder, a reporter whose column is carried by more than 300 newspapers worldwide, will speak to alumni and students during an annual luncheon sponsored by the James Madison College Founders Circle.

“He is an important person in public affairs from Washington and has a lot of insight on public services and politics,” said Grant Littke, director of field experience and student affairs for James Madison College.

Last year’s speaker was former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski.

The event will be held at noon in one of the Big Ten rooms in the Kellogg Center.

Students who are interested in legal affairs and government would benefit from attending, said Rocky Beckett, director of development for James Madison College.

Beckett said he predicts Broder will focus a lot of his discussion on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

“The terrorist attacks may lead him to speak about topics like the operation of domestic support to end terrorism and how Congress is supporting the president,” he said.

The discussion will also depend on the audience, which will have the chance to ask questions, Beckett said.

No-preference freshman Ben Wilensky said he is interested in the lecture because he is concerned about the current national events.

“Since he’s been reporting for so long, I think he would have an interesting perspective on the terrorist attacks,” he said.

Tickets for the luncheon are $25 and may be bought at the door upon availability.

Causal business attire is suggested.

ALISON BARKER

Veteranarian to talk about West Nile virus

One of the first veterinarians to suspect the West Nile virus as the killer of not only birds but people in New York City will speak today on campus.

It was partly through the work of Tracey McNamara, the head of the Department of Pathology at the Wildlife Conservation Society, that the West Nile virus, not St. Louis encephalitis, was recognized as the cause of death for several New York residents in 1999.

Since 1999, the virus has spread west and in August, a Michigan resident was diagnosed.

McNamara, will speak on “Artificial Boundaries: Bridging the Gap Between the Zoo and Public Health Communities” at 3:30 p.m.in E-100 Veterinary Medical Center

MEGAN FRYE