New York Times bestselling author, YouTuber, podcaster, and philanthropist John Green will headline Loyola Marymount University’s First Amendment Week celebration as a keynote speaker on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m. in Burns Back Court. First Amendment Week is presented by the Los Angeles Loyolan newspaper and co-sponsored by Associated Students of Loyola Marymount University.
The conversation with Green will be moderated by Amy Carlyle ’24, a screenwriting major and editor in chief of The Loyolan, and Claire Davis ’24, a political science major and ASLMU vice president of Academic Affairs. Zoe Zackson ’24, a film and TV production major, who won the First Amendment Week Open Mic Night event in January, will open for Green at the First Amendment headliner event. Zakson competed against four acts, including a cappella singing and original poetry, and won by an audience vote at the end of the evening.
Green’s books have sold more than 24 million print copies and have been translated into 55 languages. His 2012 novel “The Fault in Our Stars” created a passionate fan base and debuted at the top of The New York Times Bestseller list for children’s chapter books, remaining in the top 10 for over two years.
Two years later, in June 2014, it was adapted into a major motion picture directed by Josh Boone starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, and Nat Wolff. That year Green was named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Green’s debut novel in 2005, titled “Looking for Alaska,” received the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award. Green would go on to sign his first look production deal with Fox 2000 Pictures. In October 2019, the limited series adaptation of “Looking for Alaska” was released on Hulu starring Kristine Froseth, Charlie Plummer, and Denny Love. A Netflix adaptation of Green’s “Let It Snow” was released in November 2019.
In 2007, Green teamed up with his brother Hank to launch a YouTube channel, Vlogbrothers, where they had ceased communicating through texting and primarily conversed through vlogs posted to YouTube. The videos spawned a community of people called “nerdfighters” who fight for intellectualism. This community has raised millions of dollars to fight poverty in the developing world; they also planted thousands of trees in May of 2010 to celebrate Hank’s 30th birthday. While the pair have resumed texting, the brothers continue to upload two videos a week to Vlogbrothers and their videos have been viewed over 800 million times.
Since 2003, The Los Angeles Loyolan and ASLMU have co-sponsored First Amendment Week as a university-wide celebration of freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition addressed in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The full schedule of events includes:
Monday, Jan. 29, The Living Room, 8 p.m.
First Amendment Open Mic Night
Tuesday, Feb. 6, Burns Back Court, 6 p.m.
First Amendment Week Headliner: John Green
RSVP here (RSVP does not guarantee entry. Entry is first come, first served.)
Thursday, Feb. 8, The Hill, 6 p.m.
Black Queer Student Experience Forum
A forum discussion with Black queer students about their time at LMU and in life, with a focus on their freedom of expression. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Loyolan, the Office of Black Student Services, and LGBT Student Services.
Saturday, Feb. 10, Gersten Pavilion, 6 p.m.
Bobblehead Night at the men’s basketball game vs. Pepperdine University
Free Iggy Bobbleheads for the first 500 students in attendance as LMU takes on Pepperdine. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Loyolan.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, The Living Room, 6 p.m.
How Local Journalists Can Change the World
A conversation with Cristi Hegranes ’03, founder and director of the Global Press Institute. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Loyolan and ASLMU.
The goal of LMU’s First Amendment Week is to raise awareness in the campus community about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the freedoms it provides, and the actions it protects.
Past First Amendment Week speakers include New York Times bestselling author and former Nickelodeon star, Jennette McCurd; former L.A. Times executive editor Kevin Merida; rapper and singer Vic Mensa; social psychologist and activist Monica Lewinsky; actress and producer America Ferrera; singer John Legend; activist and actor Jesse Williams; journalist Jemele Hill; Oscar-winning screenwriter and producer Mark Boal; Democratic political consultant James Carville; Republican Party adviser Karl Rove; the rapper Common; The Onion editor Dan Mirk; and others.
