Ben Stein Speaks!

"You were just magnificent today! Your speech was strong, touching, funny, perceptive, interesting, and, most of all, from the heart. You don't just phone it in. You believe it and convey it in such a way that you teach, reveal truths that we don't think about often enough or hear enough, and you leave a lasting impression on everyone in the room. Not only that, but you stoically and cheerfully endure being mobbed, photographed, kissed, importuned, hand-shook, book-thrust, and generally mauled and slurped.You are a wonderful, valuable, lovable and generous human being. I kind of want to vote for you for something! I'm glad you talked of Col. Denman. Your article on him is, I think, one of the most beautiful you've ever written, and I've saved it. People in LA forget, or never knew, of people like him, and like your father, both of blessed memory. They had more class than the richest "star" ever will. And, so do you." Lorraine Stalberg, February 16, 2006.

"I just wanted to thank you once more for the terrific time that we had with you last Monday up here in Marquette. You were a genuinely interesting person to converse with and that cannot be said of a lot of the speakers we've had up here. Some have had massive egos or a total lack of personality; can't say that with you. You were a total class act." Thomas Brown, Northern Michigan University.

"My wife Sylvia, son Mark (16) and daughter, Grace (14) were just wandering around New Orleans that day, and I took them to see Tulane. That's when we saw the poster for your lecture. Instead of carousing the French Quarter, we chose to head back up on the trolley that evening to hear you speak. I can't tell you what a joy it was, and it turned out to be the surprising highlight of our brief New Orleans visit. In your humorous and approachable way, you conveyed so much wisdom to all of us, especially the kids. You really gave voice to a set of values and an approach to life that I would very much like to see all of us follow. You were also thoroughly entertaining. Do you know Dennis Prager? I have become a devoted listener of his radio show, and your talk very much reminded me of his wise, principled, and warm-hearted world view. I am so pleased that your message is being heard in the halls of academe, where there are so few sane voices today. Keep up the great work, and god bless you." Mark Farrar, Potomac, MD.

"I have been to many conferences over my 20+ year career, and your speech at the Broadmoor was the best after dinner speech I have ever heard – entertaining and educational – particularly on a personal level." Jim Harrington, Rydex Investment Advisors' Conference, Colorado Springs, Colo. September 2004.

"I just wanted to write to let you know that while we probably don't share one ounce of political persuasion (except apparently we agree that the Arctic should be protected from drilling - I'm holding you to your promise to communicate that to Karl Rove!), I don't think I have ever been more moved by a speech than I was last night.

"The messages that you conveyed -- about loving, honoring and being loyal to one's family, about inclusion, about prejudice, and about the power of naturally beautiful places like Williamstown -- are messages that transcend our political differences. At least I hope they do." Lydia Weiss, Williams College Alumni Association, November 2004.

"On behalf of Lamar State College-Orange, Texas, I want to thank you for making last night a special occasion. Your lecture presentation went well beyond our expectations—it struck just the right balance between humor and serious reflection. I have had numerous positive comments this morning from students, faculty, and staff. I especially want to express my appreciation for your willingness to visit with our guests and sign autographs. Your warmth and 'approachability' impressed everyone." Mike Shahan, President, Lamar State College, October 2004.

"I have never done this before – but I wanted to send you a thank you for the inspiring speech you made at the FPA conference. Thank you for sharing your personal information and for making me realize - how human we all are. I look forward to getting to hear you speak again - someday!" Velda Eugenias, Cedarholm & Eugenias, LLC, September 17, 2004.

"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your presentation during FPA Denver 2004 this past Sunday. I found your talk equally humorous, insightful, and inspiring. It was a terrific way to kick off a first class convention." Gary Storie, Financial Planning Association, Denver, September 12, 2004.

"You were a joy to work with, a total pleasure, and I hope you enjoyed your stay with us. Thank you for speaking to our clients, for being so lovely to work with, for being such a gentleman, for being so kind and accommodating and just for being you." Susie Findell, Suntrust, Orlando, FL.

"We could not have asked for a better speaker or a better event. Everything was just wonderful. All of us on the Lecture Board had a great time and the reaction to your speech on campus was overwhelmingly positive. I can only hope that our experiences next year will be similar." Nicholas Goldberg, Co-chair Brown Lecture Board.

"Thank you so much for speaking at the YPU on Wednesday. I enjoyed your speech very much, as it had much relevance to my personal life and I thought you were the best speaker we’ve had all year." Yassmin Sadeghi, Yale Political Union, April 23, 2004.

"Thanks so much for making the time for us to work with us at the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Sales Conference.
The brief time we spent on-site preparing for, and your on-stage performance could not have been better. All the executives and those attendees I've spoken to truly appreciated your wit and charm. Again Ben, thanks for all you did to make things roll so smoothly in Orlando, you are a real pro!" Jon Buckland, February 17, 2004.

"Your appearance at Bucknell will forever be a night to remember. The students were enthralled and the 'buzz' was electric, universally positive and, you'll be pleased to hear, even including some 'gratitude.' Only one other time, in 1996 on the occasion of our televised live national presidential campaign debate, have I seen the Weiss Center so packed." Ben Bennett, February 4, 2004.

"Actor, columnist, scriptwriter and novelist Ben Stein wowed attendees of yesterday's show opening general session with his presentation, 'Everything You Need to Know About Life & Promotional Products' Stein, who is probably best known as a teacher in the movie, 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' managed teach the crowd a few things about life.

"After beginning with a series of amusing anecdotes, Stein elaborated on why he personally valued promotion products. He explained how they affect his life and why promotional products are so important. 'Give a person a unique gift -- in the sense that he or she needs or wants it that day -- and you are saving someone valuable time,' he says. The trained economist then launched into his assessment of the economy, which he believes is recovering. But regardless of the economy, Stein says there is always going to be a demand for the best. If that's true, then it looks like he's going to be a very busy man. " From The Promotional Products Journal, regarding a presentation on January 14, 2004 to the Promotional Products Association.

"Thank you so much for coming to speak to us at UNC. The students cannot stop talking about your presentations and “Win Ben Stein’s Money” in the pit was definitely a huge hit with everyone." Hunter Scott, November 10, 2003.

"It was a pleasure to have the chance to meet you and get to know you a little bit. As I said several times during the course of the afternoon, you are an 'eclectic renaissance.' You notice I did not say 'eclectic renaissance man.' You create an ambiance that represents more than a single individual. Rather, you actually create a 'renaissance environment.' The more than 2,000 people (every seat in the gymnasium was filled) enjoyed your every word, both serious and humorous at the beginning which I experienced in full measure." Al Simone, President, Rochester Institute of Technology, October 2003.

"This weekend I had the pleasure of hearing you speak at Rochester Institute of Technology. I did not have the opportunity to say "thank you." I wanted to tell you what an amazing time I had. Your speech was entertaining, insightful and inspirational. Your story about your mother and father opened my eyes to how precious my family is to me and how important it is to cherish every moment, not only with them, but with everyone that touches my life." October 2003.

"I would like to convey my sincere gratitude for your time spent at Denison this week. We both worked hard to make this happen and nothing could have gone better....Your speech was so sincere. I doubt if there was a person there who was not touched by what you said....Your celebrity brought them in, and your message kept them there and has undoubtedly spurred much thought.

"The students absolutely loved you. I am still hearing people say they could not believe you were just walking around campus mixing with them. They greatly appreciated your generosity--moreso than I can convey." Eric Bates, Denison University, Granville, Ohio, September 25, 2003

"You were the most accessible, fun, and easy to work with speaker we have ever had here at SMSU, and everyone who heard you loved you." Katherine Keller, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, Ohio, September 23, 2003

"Ben Stein was phenomenal. His address touched every graduate, every family member, everyone present....His remarks completed the perfect graduation day." Krista Willim, Chair, Speakers' Committee, Washington & Lee University Law School, May 2002

"It was a pleasure working with you. Your rating for Lotusphere attendees was the highest they have ever received. I'm recommending you to all of my peers." Steve Zink, Lotus, February 2002

"I was at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium where you were a speaker for the Distinguished Speaker Series. You were by far the best speaker I have ever had the pleasure of listening to...and you were a replacement, I believe!" Tina Brown, Pasadena, October 2001

"Your session on ‘Ethics: A Serious Look at a Sound Investment Practice" was such a valuable contribution to the conference. The audience rated you as one of the elite speakers for the event." Craig Ruff, V.P. Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR), June 2001

"Ben Stein has twice as much personality as our last five speakers put together. Pay attention to this guy." R. Hering, CEO, Covance, February 2002

"I truly believe that when God made Ben Stein as a speaker, He broke the mold. Ben walked into a room of three thousand strangers at noon and by one p.m., they were all his friends and did not want him to ever leave. We have never had a more successful speaker in terms of interesting and motivating our members. Ben made me look so good as organizer of the event that I am now a hero. He did not just come and talk. He learned about the group and became a part of us." Suzanne Devane, Chicago Women's Center, Feb 2002

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for going above and beyond at Java One After Dark. You were perfect. You exceeded all of our expectations and helped make Java One an extraordinary success. The whole crowd was thrilled to be with you all three nights." Molly McDaneld after Java One conference for Sun Microsystems, June 2000

"I must tell you what an incredible job Ben did as our Master of Ceremonies at the Starz Encore 10th Anniversary Celebration last night....Ben took the lead and tied the whole evening together with great finesse and laughter...I would be honored to work with him again...I hope that many other people get to know the man we did–hilarious, great heart, high integrity, and a team player." Jim Janicek, Starz Encore Media Group. April 2001

"You gave the best speech I have heard at The University of Pennsylvania or anywhere else I have heard in many years. It was our best night at Penn ever." Professor David Eisenhower, Dept of History, University of Pennsylvania.

"What a privilege to hear your take on the economy and on life–not to mention going head to head with you in a mock game of ‘Win Ben Stein's Money.'...We were all very impressed with your poetic talents–especially your taking the time to write a poem about our company. Your works are a personal treasure for us." Chad Dreier, CEO, Ryland Homes, February 2002.

"I have heard many graduation speeches. Yours was clearly the best I have ever heard." Benjamin Getler, Trustee, University of Cincinnati, May 2002

"The sales force loved you. You're a pleasure to work with. When can you come back?" (after entertaining Oracle national sales conference) Janet Moore, Oracle, June 2002

"The responses we have had from our guests about meeting you have been overwhelming....Your address was extremely powerful." Teri Wilfong, US Sensor, May 2001. (After their annual sales conference.)

"You stirred interest on our campus unlike any other event in recent years....Our students are quoting from you constantly now. We are all so impressed at the time and effort you took to get to know us and stay for hours signing autographs and taking photos." Amanda Kale, Baldwin-Wallace College Republicans April 2002

"Hope College has never had a speaker who affected the campus community as much and as positively as you did." Matt Scogin, Chair, Student Government, Hope College, April 2002

"Thank you, Ben. That was the best graduation speech I have ever heard." Matthew Spitzer, Dean, University of Southern California Law School re: Graduation Speech at USC Law School, 2001.

"I have never heard a more courageous, amusing and insightful speaker at any financial conference than Ben Stein. He not only knows finance like a business school professor, but made us laugh while he told us what we needed to know. If there is a perfect combination of finance pro, humorist, and inspirer of men and women, he's Ben Stein. We did not want him to leave." Barron Thomas, re: Merrill Lynch High Net Worth Conference, Scottsdale, 2002