More Than 14,000 Tickets Sold for Dalai Lama Lecture: Rutgers Stadium expected to sell out for address by spiritual leader
July 05, 2005
NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, N.J. – More than 14,000 tickets already have been sold for the Dalai Lama’s public lecture “War, Peace and Reconciliation” at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, on Sunday, Sept. 25. The program will take place that day, rain or shine, at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
While tickets are still available, Rutgers officials expect the 41,000-seat stadium to sell out. Groups from as far as Canada have purchased tickets and one follower will travel from Ireland to celebrate his 49th birthday at the event, according to Linda Schulze, assistant vice president of academic affairs, who is coordinating the event.
“We have received an extremely positive reaction from the Rutgers community and the general public to the Dalai Lama’s visit,” Schulze said. “The response reaffirms the university’s ongoing commitment to provide a forum for diverse ideas and discussion.” Due to high demand, Schulze urged the public to buy tickets as early as possible. Tickets are required for admission and must be purchased prior to the event.
The Dalai Lama’s visit is part of the university’s commitment to providing a forum for thought-provoking discourse on issues fundamental to intellectual growth and cultural awareness in a global society. The fall semester will focus on topics relating to conflict and moral obligation. Programming includes honors seminars, lectures, concerts, exhibits, films and other cultural events and activities inspired by the Dalai Lama’s teachings and philosophies.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the event.
Tickets are available for purchase weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by phone at 866-445-4678 or in person at the Louis Brown Athletic Center ticket office, 83 Rockafeller Road, Piscataway. Attendees will receive tickets by mail in late August.
Admission for the public as well as Rutgers faculty and staff is $10. Groups of 20 or more traveling by bus are entitled to a discount rate of $7 per ticket. Rutgers students may purchase up to two tickets for $5 each with valid university identification; additional tickets are available at full price. Children ages two and younger are free. There is a $3 handling fee per order. All seating will be reserved.
Parking passes, which cost $10, must be ordered at the time of ticket purchase. Groups traveling by bus must request a free parking permit when purchasing tickets. Free shuttle buses will run from designated campus parking areas as well as from the New Brunswick train station. More information on parking and shuttle locations will be available in September.
There will be special seating and parking for the disabled. For more information regarding special needs or accommodations, contact the ticket office. Sign language interpretation will be available.
Doors at the stadium will open at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25; the program will start at 8:30 a.m. Entry is not permitted after 10 a.m.
For more information about the Dalai Lama’s visit, go to president.rutgers.edu/dalailama on the Internet.
Contact: Nicole Pride
732-932-7084, ext 610
E-mail: npride@ur.rutgers.edu