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Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Clarence Page will visit Skidmore Wednesday, Feb. 15, to deliver the keynote lecture for the College's Black History Month celebration. The talk begins at 7 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium, Palamountain Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

A Chicago Tribune columnist and member of its editorial board since 1984, Page writes twice-weekly columns that address the social, economic, and political issues affecting Americans. His commentary on such issues as crime, education, housing, hunger, and bigotry have been syndicated in more than 200 papers nationwide.

From 1980 to 1984 Page worked as director of community affairs and as an on-air reporter at Chicago's CBS affiliate WBBM-TV. He held various positions at the Chicago Tribune, including general assignment reporter and assistant city editor, from 1969 to 1980. He also is a regular contributor to The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, broadcast daily on PBS; and does a twice-weekly commentary on WGN-TV, Chicago. He serves as a panelist or commentator for a variety of news programs, including The McLaughlin Group; Lead Story, (BET network); This Week, (ABC network); and Weekend Edition, Sunday, (NPR).

Page is the author of several books, including Showing My Color: Impolite Essays on Race and Identity (Harper Collins, 1996); and has published articles in Chicago Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, Newsday, Washington Monthly, and the New Republic.

In 1992 Page was inducted into the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame. He received the 1989 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and was part of the Chicago Tribune task force investigation on voter fraud that won a Pulitzer in 1973. His other awards include a 1980 Illinois United Press International Award for community service and the Edward Scott Beck Award for overseas reporting.

A 1965 graduate of Middletown (Ohio) High School, Page received a B.S. degree in journalism from Ohio University in 1969. He has received honorary doctorates from Ohio University, Columbia College in Chicago, and Lake Forest College, among others.

He and his wife, Lisa Johnson, reside in Washington, D.C., with their son.

Page's lecture will be one of several highlights of Skidmore's Black History observance, which is coordinated by Ujima, the African-American student organization. Other public events include the following:

* an exhibition at Case Gallery titled "The Roots of Racism". The exhibition will consider where racism in the U.S. started and the effects it has on Skidmore students today. Case Gallery, located in Case Center, is open daily without charge. An opening reception begins at 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6, at the gallery.

* Friday, Feb. 10, annual "Food for the Heart and Soul" dinner at Falstaff's. Tickets are $5 per person, $7 per couple. Clayton's Caribbean Restaurant in Albany will provide the food.

* Saturday, Feb. 11, "Ain't No Half-Steppin" 8 p.m., Filene Music Building. A look at how the step dance form evolved from African dance. Guest artist Tina Baird and Yacub Addy of the Skidmore's Music Department will lead a lecture/performance on the histories of African dance, tap dance, and hip-hop. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $3 per person with tickets available at the door.

* Saturday, Feb. 18, the 14th annual Fashion and Talent Show, 8 p.m., Bernhard Theater. Admission is $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Tickets will be available in Case Center starting Monday, Feb. 13.