Famed Sex And Relationship Expert To Address CWU Students

May 14, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Author, well known relationship expert and professor of sociology at the University of Washington Pepper Schwartz will visit Central Washington University Thursday, May 22 to share her thoughts on society's views on sexuality.

The presentation, "Why Are We Still Afraid of Sex," begins at 4 p.m. in the Hertz Hall Auditorium. The event is sponsored by Central's Department of Sociology and will be followed by a question-and-answer period.

"Her lecture will focus on issues of sexuality from a sociological perspective," says Assistant Sociology Professor Judy Hennessey. "She is an expert in family, relationships, marriage and sex. We are very excited to bring someone as well-known and highly regarded to campus to address our students and campus community."

Schwartz, named University of Washington's 2007 Most Engaging Lecturer, is the author and co-author of several books, including "The Great Sex Weekend," "Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children About Sex and Character," and her latest book, "Prime: Adventures and Advice on Sex, Love, and the Sensual Years."

In 2007 she was named the University of Washington's Clarence and Elissa Schrag Faculty Fellow in Sociology. She has served as the chairperson of the National Sexuality Resource Center and appears regularly on national television news, documentaries and other programs such as "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Dateline" and "Dr. Phil." She also appears in various programs for the Lifetime cable television network.

Schwartz wrote the monthly column "Sex and Health" for Glamour Magazine with coauthor Dr. Janet Lever for more than seven years, and "Talking About Sex" for eight years for American Baby Magazine. She also wrote the weekly column "Sex.Net with Dr. Pepper" for Microsoft Corporation's One Click Away. She currently writes columns for uTango.com, Perfectmatch.com and Medhelp.org, and is the relationship expert at Perfectmatch.com.

The event is free and open to the public.

Media Contact: Judy Hennessy, CWU Department of Sociology, 509-963-1574,hennessj@cwu.edu
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.