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For Release:	IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT
Contact:	TIM MASSIE (845) 575-3171 TOMMY ZURHELLEN (845) 575-3000, EXT. 2381

MARK NAISON, AKA "NOTORIOUS PHD," TO DISCUSS URBAN MUSIC AT MARIST TALK

POUGHKEEPSIE - The 2009-2010 Marist Lecture Series will offer a lecture and presentation by African-American Studies scholar and author Dr. Mark Naison on Wednesday, September 23, at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Room, located on the third floor of the Student Center. A reception will follow the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Naison will discuss "Migration and Musical Creativity in Bronx Neighborhoods: How Hybrid Musical Forms that Arose in the South Bronx Helped Reshape American National Identity." It's expected his rap alter ego, Notorious PhD, will also make an appearance.

"Anyone interested in urban history, New York culture, hip hop or contemporary poetry forms will enjoy Dr. Naison's presentation," said Tommy Zurhellen, assistant professor of English and director of the creative writing program at Marist.

Naison is the author of White Boy and The Rat That Got Away: A Bronx Memoir. He is currently director of the Urban Studies Program and professor of African-American studies at Fordham University. He has also published hundreds of articles on urban history, African-American history, and sports history. Naison also launched the Bronx African-American History Project in 2002 with the Bronx Historical Society, and he has appeared on television programs such as Chappelle's Show.

For more information on this and other Lecture Series events at Marist, please e-mail Professor Zurhellen at writing@marist.edu, or call (845) 575-3000 ext. 2381.

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For further information, call the Marist College Office of Public Affairs at (845) 575-3174.