1/28/02

FORMER TOBACCO INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE TO LECTURE AT AUBURN

AUBURN -- Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco company executive who took on the tobacco industry in a well-publicized interview on CBS News' "60 Minutes" and whose story was later told in the movie "The Insider," will be a guest lecturer in the Auburn University College of Business Feb. 12-14.

Wigand will visit AU as the 2002 James T. Pursell, Sr. Distinguished Fellow in Ethics.

The business program recognizes those who have distinguished themselves by promoting ethical values in the management of private and public-sector organizations.

Wigand captured national attention in 1996 when he became the highest-ranking former tobacco executive to share what he knew about Big Tobacco's efforts to conceal the dangers of smoking from consumers.

In an interview with 60 MINUTES, Wigand said his former employer, Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., had known that nicotine was addictive, in spite of what they had told a congressional committee in sworn testimony..

Wigand, who has a Ph.D. in biochemistry, had been vice president of research and development for B&W more than four years before he was fired in March 1993 under disputed circumstances. Following his dismissal, Wigand assisted the Federal Drug Administration and other government agencies in their investigation of the tobacco industry. It was this assistance and Wigand's testimony that ultimately brought about a Master Settlement Agreement between the states and the tobacco industry that was estimated to total $206 billion.

Today, Wigand devotes much of his time to his non-profit foundation, SMOKE-FREE KIDS, Inc. Through this organization, Wigand travels the world speaking to students about the tobacco industry and its targeting of children in particular.

On Feb. 12, Wigand will present a lecture on "The Role of Ethical Values in Decision Making," at 5:30 p.m., Lowder Business Building, Room 113-A. The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating will be available first-come, first-serve. For more information, call 334/844-2203. In addition, in preparation for Wigand's visit, the College of Business will show the following. Each is open to the public and free.

Tues., Jan. 29
**6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Lowder 113-A
"The Insider," Touchstone Pictures, 1999
Based on the true story of Jeffrey Wigand
--
Thurs., Jan. 31
**6 p.m.-7 p.m., Lowder 113-A
"Smoke in the Eye," PBS/Frontline, April 2, 1996
Examines CBS' decision not to air the Wigand interview, the strength of the
potential lawsuits, and the role of financial interests in the decision to avoid such lawsuits
--
Tues., Feb. 5
**6 p.m.-7 p.m., Lowder 113-A
"Inside the Tobacco Deal," PBS/Frontline, May 8, 1998
The inside story of how two lawyers declared war on Big Tobacco and skillfully 
pursued a daring new litigation strategy that ultimately brought the industry to 
the negotiating table
--
Thurs., Feb. 7
**6 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Lowder 113-A
"The Insider," Touchstone Pictures, 1999
Based on the true story of Jeffrey Wigand
--
Mon., Feb. 11
**6 p.m.-7 p.m., Lowder 113-A
"Secrets Through the Smoke," CDC, 2000 
Wigand shares his experiences about the tobacco industry
--

The James T. Pursell, Sr. Distinguished Fellow in Ethics Program is funded by an endowment established by James T. Pursell, Sr. The endowment also supports an Eminent Scholar in Ethics,. Achilles Armenakis. Pursell is Chairman of Pursell Technologies, Incorporated (PTI) in Sylacauga, Ala. The Pursell name is synonymous with fertilizers of the future. PTI, the world's largest producer of coated fertilizer, manufactures the revolutionary controlled release fertilizer with PolyonTM coating.

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jan02: AU-wigand

CONTACT: Armenakis, 334/844-6506

(NOTE: Lowder Business Building is located at 415 West Magnolia Avenue, between Duncan Drive and Donahue Drive.)