A political correspondent and legal affairs consultant from National Public Radio will visit campus today to discuss current Supreme Court cases. Bonnie Melhart, associate provost for academic affairs, said the exact cases NPR analyst Nina Totenberg will address have not yet been determined.

“We do know that she will be talking about upcoming cases that are currently being brought before the Supreme Court,” Melhart said.

Totenberg, who has been with NPR since 1975, said she hopes students will gain a lot from her speech.

“I hope to be both informative and entertaining to the TCU students, and all others that will be in attendance,” Totenberg said. “I want to be serious, but I also hope to get a few laughs, too.”

AddRan College of Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as TCU Graduate Studies, is presenting the event, Melhart said.

“It is part of AddRan’s program to invite a speaker for the students of the AddRan College,” Melhart said. “These events are not just for these specific students. We want and encourage all students to attend.”

Melhart also said local journalists and representatives from area law schools were invited to attend the presentation.

In 1991, Totenberg’s report about Anita Hill’s allegations of sexual harassment by Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas led to the re-opening of Thomas’ confirmation hearings by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

NPR received the George Foster Peabody Award for its coverage during the hearings and for Totenberg’s coverage and exclusive interview with Hill.

“That was so great for NPR,” Totenberg said. “I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do the story. Sometimes it is about being at the right place at the right time.”

Melhart said she is looking forward to Totenberg’s visit.

“When we decide about potential speakers to come and speak to our students, we try to find the best that embody the mission statement of TCU,” Melhart said. “Totenberg is someone who has and uses the qualities we hope for our students.