For Immediate Release

February 25, 2008

Time Warner Chairman of the Board to Speak at Columbia University School of Social Work

New York, NY –Richard D. Parsons, Chairman of the Board of Time Warner Inc., will speak at the Columbia University School of Social Work Wednesday Series lecture event on March 5, 2008.

“We are delighted to have Mr. Parsons speak at the School,” said Dean Jeanette Takamura. “He has successfully and effectively led one of the major corporations in the media and entertainment industry, which regularly presents perspectives on the lives of people worldwide, plays a profound role in shaping contemporary culture, and influences the views of Americans of all ages and from all walks of life. Mr. Parsons has a strong commitment to number of community initiatives in New York City. Mr. Parsons’ visit will provide a wonderful opportunity to hear from him on a wide range of topics – from organizational leadership to the role of education in enabling persons from communities at risk to succeed.”

Richard D. Parsons is Chairman of the Board of Time Warner Inc., whose businesses include filmed entertainment, interactive services, television networks, cable systems and publishing. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner from May 2002 to December 2007.  In its January 2005 report on America’s Best CEOs, Institutional Investor magazine named Mr. Parsons the top CEO in the entertainment industry.

Before becoming CEO, Mr. Parsons served as the company's Co-Chief Operating Officer, overseeing its content businesses as well as two key corporate functions: Legal and People Development.  Mr. Parsons joined Time Warner as its President in February 1995, and has been a member of the company's Board of Directors since January 1991.

Initiated in 2002 by Dean Jeanette Takamura, the Wednesday Series was developed to foster explorations of interdisciplinary scholarship, policy, and practice and highlight diverse social justice issues.  The Wednesday Series features scholars, alumni, national experts and luminaries who are invited to speak on current topics that could have implications for the social work profession. Past speakers have included Harvard anthropologist Dr. Arthur Kleinman, United Nations Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli, alumna author and clinician Dr. Peggy Drexler, and international photographer Eugene Richards.

To RSVP for the Wednesday Series lecture, visit http://www.socialwork.columbia.edu/wedseries.  For more information about Wednesday Series events, email [email protected].

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About CUSSW (www.socialwork.columbia.edu)
For more than 100 years, the Columbia University School of Social Work has been the leader in practice and policy. Located in New York City, the School offers Master’s and Doctoral programs which are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence. With a signature curriculum and far-reaching field education experience, CUSSW continues to be at the forefront of clinical practice, public policy, teaching, research and social work innovation in the 21st Century.