School of Media News

Journalists Who Broke USA Gymnastic Sex Abuse Case to Speak at WKU April 9

BOWLING GREEN, KY – The Indianapolis Star investigative reporters who broke the Larry Nassar sex abuse case and helped bring justice for more than 150 victims will speak at Western Kentucky University’s School of Journalism & Broadcasting on Monday, April 9 for the annual John B. Gaines Family Lecture.

Marisa Kwiatkowski, Mark Alesia and Tim Evans will discuss the Nassar case and sex abuse in USA Gymnastics in a panel moderated by WKU Journalism Professor Amanda J. Crawford. The event, part of Sexual Assault Prevent Month activities, will be held at 7 p.m. in Jody Richards/Mass Media & Technology Hall auditorium.

“These journalists listened to victims when almost no one else would and helped bring a serial sex offender to justice,” Crawford said. “Their stories show how important investigative journalism remains in our society and the value of the work that journalists do every day in newsrooms across the country.”

The Gaines Lecture Series has brought professional journalists to WKU since 2004. Made possible by a generous gift from the owners of the Bowling Green Daily News, the lecture series has showcased the work of bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winning journalists, press freedom advocates and others.

“I want to thank the Gaines Family for sponsoring this lecture series that helps our students get a chance to meet the journalists they look up to,” said Dr. Enakshi Roy, a broadcasting professor who will emcee the event. “The exemplary work of these journalists sheds light on the sexual assaults and harassment that women routinely face. Hopefully, they will give our audience the courage to speak up if need be.”

The free lecture is open to students and the public. It will be live-streamed on the WKU School of Journalism & Broadcasting’s Facebook page. A q&a will follow the panel discussion with opportunities for the audience to ask questions both at the event and via social media with both the

#MeTooJournalism and #WKUGaines hashtags.

About the John B. Gaines Family Lecture Series

The John B. Gaines Family Lecture Series was launched in 2004 in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Gaines’ family- owned newspaper, the Daily News. The series has brought several award-winning journalists to WKU. Previous lecture participants have included New York Times reporter and WKU alumna Nikita Stewart, Joel Simon of the Committee to Protect Journalists, bestselling author Beth Macy, Washington Bureau Chief for the Dallas Morning News Todd Gillman, Emmy award-winning photojournalist Dai Sugano of the San Jose Mercury News, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts of The Miami Herald, and former Chicago Tribune and official White House photographer Pete Souza.