Science educator Bill Nye and comic Preacher Lawson to be featured at RIT’s Brick City Weekend

Science educator and author Bill Nye, best known for his Emmy-winning television series Bill Nye the Science Guy, returns to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as this year’s Brick City Weekend and Student Government Speaker during Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 16-18.

Dozens of events are planned—from sports, tours, entertainers, and music—for homecoming weekend. Thousands of the more than 150,000 RIT alumni, families, as well as current RIT students, faculty, staff, and retirees are expected on campus for the events.

Comedian Preacher Lawson, who was a finalist and fan favorite on America’s Got Talent in 2017, will perform on Oct. 16. His show features material that blends sharp observations, family stories, and fearless honesty with material that can be enjoyed across all generations. Raised in a military family and shaped by life on the move, he bases his comedy on resilience, relationships, and finding humor in chaos.

As both a stand-up comic and actor, his work has been featured on NBC, Netflix, HBO, at major comedy festivals, and in his independently released comedy specials. In January, Preacher debuted his special, “Keep Preacher Weird,” filmed in his hometown of Portland, Ore., which has racked up nearly 1 million views.

Nye, who was RIT’s Commencement speaker in 2012, will have a moderated discussion based on questions from Student Government on Oct. 17 in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center.

He helped introduce science and engineering in an entertaining and accessible manner to generations of young people, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the science that makes the world work. His past talks include topics such as space and planetary science, climate change, environmental issues, and current events in science.

For 15 years, Nye served as CEO of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest and most influential non-governmental space organization, founded by Carl Sagan. Nye remains vice chair of the organization’s board of directors and its chief ambassador.

Other highlights of the weekend include men’s hockey vs. Michigan State, scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Oct. 17 at Blue Cross Arena (with free shuttles from Lot S beginning at 5 p.m.), and two women’s hockey vs. Brown University games, 6 p.m. Oct. 16 and noon Oct. 17 in the Gene Polisseni Center.

The popular Dueling Piano performance is also scheduled in the new 750-seat RIT Performing Arts Center, and free, family-friendly activities will be held in the Student Alumni Union and Ritter Arena.

“From Bill Nye’s insight into our future to the laughs we’ll share with comedian Preacher Lawson, Brick City Weekend offers something for everyone,” said Lisa Stein, executive director for events and conferences at RIT. “The entire RIT community comes together to celebrate the Tiger spirit that makes Brick City Weekend such a memorable tradition.”

Tickets for all events are available on the Brick City website.