CNN anchor, special correspondent and author Soledad O'Brien will present the University at Buffalo's 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration event, a part of UB's Distinguished Speakers Series, at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in Kleinhans Music Hall.

O'Brien is the anchor for CNN morning show "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien" and a special correspondent for CNN/U.S. Since joining the network in 2003, O'Brien has reported breaking news from around the globe.

Her documentaries include "Words That Changed a Nation," a never-before-seen look at King's private writings and notes, and "Eyewitness to Murder: The King Assassination."

Her presentation is being held in Kleinhans as part of UB's celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Distinguished Speakers Series, and comes 45 years after King spoke in Kleinhans in 1967 as a guest of UB. More information about King's speech at Kleinhans, and a photo of him speaking to the Buffalo audience, is available at http://www.buffalo.edu/news/13166.

During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of O'Brien's lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets for the program by contacting Christine Vidal in the UB Office of Communications at 645-4607 or vidal@buffalo.edu no later than noon on Thursday, Feb. 16. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in Kleinhans prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.

On-site media contact: John DellaContrada, 361-3006. O'Brien is not available for pre- or post-event interviews.