Popular CBC host and York alumnus Jian Ghomeshi returns to York University on Wednesday, Jan. 23, to deliver a lecture on media literacy. Ghomeshi’s presentation is part of an ongoing series of speakers presented by the McLuhan Initiative for the Study of Literacies at York University.
Right: Jian Ghomeshi
Host of the popular CBC Radio One programs "Q" on Arts, Culture and Entertainment and the 2008 "Canada Reads" contest, Ghomeshi will share his thoughts on keeping culturally literate and the role of the media toward literacy. His lecture takes place from 4 to 6pm, at the Olga Cirak Junior Common Room, 111 Stong College.
Ghomeshi first came to attention in Canada and the United States as a singer, instrumentalist and songwriter in the multi-platinum selling folk-rock group, Moxy Früvous. With the group, he has toured internationally and written top-40 songs such as "Stuck in the 90s", "Sad Girl", and "I Will Hold on". He has shared stages with a variety of artists including Bob Dylan, Bryan Adams, The Tragically Hip, Van Morrison, Ani Difranco and Elvis Costello.
As a writer, his editorials and opinion pieces have been published in the Sunday edition of the Washington Post newspaper, The International Herald Tribune, the Globe and Mail, and The Toronto Star.
A member of the board of governors for the Stratford Festival and the Radio Starmaker Fund, Ghomeshi has a long-standing history as a community activist, including being elected for several terms as the president of the York Federation of Students. He also served as the co-chair of the Ontario Federation of Students. He graduated from York University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1995.
Proud of his Iranian heritage and Canadian citizenship, Ghomeshi is working on a satire about his experience as a first-generation person of Middle Eastern background living in North America.
For more information visit the McLuhan Initiative Web site, or contact Karen Dempster, managing director, McLuhan Initiative for the Study of Literacies at ext. 77480, or e-mail kdempster@mcluhanliteracies.ca.