NEW ALBANY, Ind. – The Common Experience at IU Southeast is proud to host New York Times bestselling author of “Where am I wearing?” and acclaimed public speaker Kelsey Timmerman on Monday, Oct. 22, at 6:00 p.m. at the Stem Auditorium of the IU Southeast Ogle Center. Admission is free, and the event is open to the community.

Timmerman has lectured on travel and globalization around the world. He is passionate about educating students through humor and storytelling, and encourages them to think globally and act locally. He is a frequent keynote speaker at universities, high schools and conferences. Among his published works are “Where am I giving?” and “Where Am I eating?”

Through his years of traveling around the world, he met sweatshop workers in the Honduras that inspired his book, “Where am I wearing?” His talk will focus on the people and families who work in the “sweatshops” across the world who made his clothes.

“Kelsey Timmerman is one of the most personable speakers that you will hear and he relates so very well to university students,” said Cliff Staten, co-director of the Common Experience and professor of political science and international studies at IU Southeast. “His book is a fascinating and personal look into the people that make our clothes and challenges us to perhaps rethink our position on so-called ‘sweatshops.’ In the end, he asks us to be informed consumers when we purchase our t-shirts, jeans and underwear.”

Timmerman’s talk is part of a series of Common Experience events hosted by IU Southeast throughout the 2018-19 academic year under the theme of “Think Global, Act Local.”

“Our Common Experience Program works to develop a common dialogue among students, faculty, staff and members of the local communities,” said IU Southeast Chancellor Ray Wallace. “We are happy to have Timmerman speak at our campus and bring light to these issues.”