The Pittsburg State University Performing Arts and Lecture Series concludes its 2011-12 season on Friday, March 30, with a free lecture by Sister Helen Prejean, the author of “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States.” Sister Prejean will speak at 7 p.m. in Pittsburg’s Memorial Auditorium.

Sister Helen PrejeanSister Prejean, a Catholic nun from Louisiana, became the spiritual adviser to convicted killer Patrick Sonnier and witnessed his execution. In 1993, she wrote of that life-changing experience in a Pulitzer-Prize nominated book, “Dead Man Walking.” The book, which topped the New York Times list for 31 weeks, was adapted by director and producer Tim Robbins for an Oscar-nominated film in 1996 featuring Susan Sarandon as Sister Prejean and Sean Penn as the death-row inmate.

A Nobel Prize-nominated activist and advocate, Sister Prejean has witnessed multiple executions and describes herself as “an ordinary person who got involved in extraordinary events.” As the founder of Survive, a victim’s advocacy group in New Orleans, she continues to counsel not only inmates on death row, but the families of murder victims, as well.

In conjunction with Sister Prejean’s Pittsburg appearance, the PSU Theatre will present the stage version of “Dead Man Walking” April 26-29 in the PSU Studio Theatre.

Admission to the lecture on March 30 is free, but tickets are required. Tickets may be obtained at the PSU Ticket Office in the Overman Student Center (620-235-4796) or at the door the evening of the lecture, based on availability. All seating is general admission.

For information, please contact Campus Activities at 620-235-4795.