Eight questions about Bill Nye’s visit to campus

What you need to know before the most popular scientist in the United States arrives

By Caleb Diehl /// Editor-In-Chief

Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill…For a day, college will turn into third-grade science class. That’s because Bill Nye the Science Guy is coming to campus on October 25. Bill Nye is coming, said Campus Activities Board Chair Sierra Adler (’16), because he’s Bill Nye, and because, “he was an integral part of all of our childhoods.” Since then, Bill Nye’s set off on a quest across the late night talk show landscape to educate Americans about climate change. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing Bill Nye in person.

Who is Bill Nye?

Bill Nye is actually William Sanford Nye. He is the most popular scientist in the United States. Bill Nye began his career building airplanes as a mechanical engineer at Boeing. Then, Bill Nye hosted the Disney/PBS children’s science show where he made blue lab coats and bow ties more fashionable than white lab coats. Bill Nye is so great that most of the words in the show’s theme song come from his name.

Where can I see Bill Nye?

In the Pamplin Sports Center gym. Or on a live broadcast in either Agnes Flanagan Chapel or Council Chambers.

How much is Bill Nye worth?

Lewis & Clark paid Bill Nye about $40,000 in speaking fees. Campus Activities Board, the president’s office, and the dean of student’s office provided the funding.

What does Bill Nye do nowadays?

Nowadays, 57-year-old Bill Nye mostly tries to change the world. In a video for bigthink.com, Bill Nye tells people, “if you want to deny evolution and live in your world—in your world that’s completely inconsistent with everything we observe in the universe—that’s fine. But don’t make your kids do it, because we need them. We need scientifically literate voters and taxpayers for the future.”

Bill Nye fights creationists like former Republican Senate staff member Marc Morano and Answers in Genesis CEO Ken Ham on shows like “Piers Morgan Tonight,” “CNN Crossfire,” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Bill Nye doesn’t raise his voice. Bill Nye fights using science.

Bill Nye also takes selfies, like the one he took with President Barack Obama and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

How much does it cost for me to see Bill Nye at Lewis & Clark?

Nothing if you’re an LC student or professor. $35 in advance, and $40 at the door, if you’re not. CAB hopes to make tickets available on the first day of classes.

What will Bill Nye talk about?

Bill Nye will probably talk about climate change, how we shouldn’t teach creationism to kids, and how when he was a kid, he wanted to be an astronaut. That’s what he talked about with Seth Meyers.

Can I ask Bill Nye questions?

Go for it, if your questions are under 140 characters. CAB plans to stage the event just like An Evening with Samantha Bee. During the event, students can tweet questions to Dean of Students Anna Gonzalez (@akgonzal327), who will pose the questions to Bill Nye.

Will Bill Nye wear a bow tie?

You bet.