BSC hosts arts and humanities summit Bismarck State College fills with events Oct. 9-10 for the biennial North Dakota Arts and Humanities Summit, a creative showcase of work being done by faculty and students at the state’s public colleges and universities. More than 40 public events are scheduled during the two days. Presenters will share performances, readings of creative literature, scholarly papers on innovative topics, and much more. In addition, BSC galleries will display work by visual art faculty and students. The 2008 summit emphasizes future leaders this year. Scholars and entrepreneurs will speak to students about their work as educators, artists, and arts organization workers. Contribute to this display of innovative and inspiring work by encouraging students to attend and learn about the arts and humanities as potential leaders, and to share their talents with others from across the state. Participant registration online comes with complimentary lunch both days. Author Sherman Alexie, award-winning poet, novelist and filmmaker, appears as key presenter Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Belle Mehus City Auditorium. General seating admission is free for this witty evening of entertainment, which concludes with a question and answer period and book signing. The BSC Campus Read Committee selected Alexie’s acclaimed book, “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” for campus-wide discussion in classrooms and public events during fall semester. All Arts and Humanities Summit attendees are encouraged to read it. Alexie is a prolific writer with numerous awards for his poetry, novels and short stories. He is a dynamic entertainer, who has done stand-up comedy and opened for the Indigo Girls. Alexie is the only poet to win the World Heavyweight Poetry Bout competition four consecutive years. Among his screenplays are “Smoke Signals,” honored at the Sundance Film Festival, and “The Business of Fancy Dancing.” Alexie has appeared with Oprah Winfrey and on PPS’s “Now” with Bill Moyers, and “Lehrer News Hour” with President Bill Clinton, as well as CBS’s “60 Minutes.” The summit concludes Friday evening, Oct. 10, with the North Dakota University System Collage Concert in Belle Mehus City Auditorium, a seamless program uninterrupted by applause. Admission is free. For detailed information and registration, visit bismarckstate.edu/summit.