Trinity welcomes columnist and author David Brooks Feb. 10

David L. Brooks, a New York Times columnist, television commentator and best-selling author, will visit Trinity International University Feb. 10 for a day of discussions about character, religion, and cultural trends within the United States and in the world.

The Center for Transformational Churches at Trinity will sponsor the visit, which will feature a panel discussion at 7 p.m. in the A.T. Olson Chapel on the Deerfield campus. In addition to Brooks, other participants will include Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics & Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and Trinity faculty members D.A. Carson, Douglas Sweeney, Lisa Sung and Greg Forster.

Brooks also will address a luncheon gathering of the Trinity faculty.

A frequent media observer of political and cultural trends, Brooks is a bi-weekly op-ed columnist for the New York Times and regularly appears as an analyst on the "PBS NewsHour" and NPR's "All Things Considered."

Earlier this year, Random House published Brooks' latest book, "The Road to Character." It examines how selflessness can lead to greater successes. The book topped the New York Times best-seller list in May.

"David Brooks is a gifted and thoughtful spokesman and author, someone that many of us read on a regular basis," President David S. Dockery said. "It will be a special treat to welcome him to the Trinity community for these important and engaging conversations."

Dockery expressed appreciation to the Kern Family Foundation for its support of the Center for Transformational Churches and for this event.

The center exists to develop Christian leaders, congregations, and communities that empower gospel change through whole-life discipleship.