WKU paid author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova $66,500 for the most recent installment of the Presidential Speaker Series on Oct. 15.

Genova was signed to give a 50 minute lecture followed by a 10 minute question and answer session. In addition, WKU was responsible for “professional commercially insured round trip ground transportation from hotel to venue and hotel accommodations up to two nights,” according to the contract between WKU and the Washington Speakers Bureau, the agency representing Genova. All other travel and event costs were included in the fee.

The contract was signed in May 2024 and included an itinerary for the day of the talk. This included an “Informal Q&A session with select students” for an hour, as well as two 30 minute periods of downtime, one before dinner with “University and guest VIPs” and one just prior to her lecture.

$33,500 of the full price was due to WSB on July 15, and the remaining $33,000 was due by Oct. 1. WKU was unable to publicize the event until full payment was made, according to the contract.

Genova spoke as the second installment of the Presidential Lecture Series. Her lecture followed last fall’s lecture by deep sea explorer and oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic. The lecture was held in Van Meter Hall and was free for all students, faculty, staff and the Bowling Green community.

Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn can be reached at [email protected].