Washington University will open its 51st Assembly Series today with a lecture by Fortune magazine’s Bethany McLean. Her lecture, entitled “The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron,” will begin at 11 a.m. in Graham Chapel.

McLean is best known for being one of the first reporters to investigate the financial practices of the energy company Enron. A former investment banker, McLean wrote an article in March 2001 questioning the accuracy of Enron’s stock value. Subsequent investigation proved that her suspicions were well founded, and Enron declared bankruptcy in 2002. McLean has since co-written a book about Enron’s downfall.

McLean’s address is the first of 13 lectures scheduled for this semester. Each presentation is free and open to all members of the University community as well as the general public. In keeping with University tradition, most of the lectures are scheduled for Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. in Graham Chapel. However, several lectures this fall will occur on Thursday afternoons.

Barbara Rea, director of major events and special projects at the University, said this change takes into account variations in student schedules.

“We think it is possible students may find [the new times] better,” said Rea.

Many of the speakers this fall will discuss matters relevant to the presidential election. Rea said that one goal for this series is to jump-start community discussions about hot-button issues such as the environment, health care reform and the economy.

“The [Assembly Series] Committee doesn’t shirk controversy,” said Rea. “We want to bring in people who are going to make people think.”

The University has made a special effort this semester to bring in speakers with a wide variety of political ideologies. Viet Dinh and David Cole will present their opposing views on the USA Patriot Act. Arianna Huffington, a liberal writer and media commentator most recently in the news for her candidacy in last fall’s gubernatorial recall race in California, will speak on Sept. 15. Three weeks later William Kristol, a well-known conservative and the editor of the political magazine The Weekly Standard, will present a lecture entitled “The 2004 Election: What’s at Stake.”

Huffington was added to the roster on Sept. 1. She replaces scheduled speaker Seymour Hersh, who was forced to withdraw from the series after his publishing company moved up the release date of his latest book.

Speakers were chosen after members of the University community submitted recommendations to the Assembly Series Committee, a rotating group of students and faculty members. Funding for the series comes from the University, Student Union, a variety of student groups and other sources.

Many students will be making a special effort to attend the lectures focusing on the election. Freshman Cassie Sadinski said she is especially interested in comparing the ideas of speakers representing opposite ends of the political spectrum.

“I think it’s interesting to hear different perspectives on current issues, whether from my viewpoint or an opposing viewpoint,” said Sadinski. “I think it’s important to be a responsible citizen and a responsible voter.”

Sophomore Ryan Fuhrman said that he only attended lectures last year when required to by professors, but found the speakers enjoyable.

“Really interesting people come,” said Fuhrman. “I’ll probably go more this year.”

Rea also hopes that students will take the time to listen to the lesser-known speakers.

“Come to the people you don’t know, that you’ve never heard of,” she said. “That’s where you’re more likely to find that great insight, that surprise.”

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