October 4, 2018
On Saturday, November 17, Oakland University will welcome influential journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell to campus.
A longtime writer for The New Yorker magazine, Gladwell has authored five New York Times bestsellers: “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference,” “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking,” “Outliers: The Story of Success,” “What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures” and “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants.”
He’s also been named one of the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine and one of Foreign Policy magazine’s Top Global Thinkers. His work explores a wide range of topics, including how ideas spread, in “The Tipping Point,” decision-making in “Blink,” and the roots of success in “Outliers.”
With his latest book, “David and Goliath,” Gladwell examines the common understanding of advantages and disadvantages, arguing that we have underestimated the value of adversity and overestimated the value of privilege.
Along with his writing career, Gladwell hosts a popular weekly podcast called Revisionist History, in which he re-examines an overlooked or misunderstood aspect of past events. He has worked for The New Yorker since 1996, won a national magazine award, and been honored by the American Psychological Society and the American Sociological Society. He was previously a reporter for The Washington Post.
Gladwell’s visit will include two speaking engagements – a black-tie gala and a talk with OU students. Both events are presented by Oakland University Credit Union. Additional lead sponsors of the gala are Beaumont Health and TIAA.
The gala will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center, followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. in the Founders Ballrooms of the Oakland Center. To order tickets to the gala, click here.
The talk, exclusively for faculty, staff and students, will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. in 201 Dodge Hall. At the event, Honors College Dean Graeme Harper will interview Gladwell about "Big Ideas,” a link to one of Gladwell’s latest ventures, The Next Big Idea Club, which highlights new and innovative thinkers. The event will also include a question-and-answer session and a book signing. Tickets to this event are free and will be available through the Office of Student Involvement in October.