The International Bank of Bob author to speak at BC Aug. 27

Bob Harris, the author of The International Bank of Bob, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in Cole Hall at Bridgewater College.

In 2008, Harris was hired by Forbes Traveler to travel the globe while helping to compile its annual list of the finest accommodations on Earth. Harris was overwhelmed by the contrast between the world’s rich and poor. As a result, he has provided online microloans to more than 6,000 entrepreneurs in 68 countries via the online lending platform Kiva.org—re-lending the money as each round of loans is repaid.

Harris traveled the globe to see the effects of these microloans and wrote a book titled The International Bank of Bob. He will share the stories of inspiring and enterprising people, while motivating listeners to help fight poverty globally.

As an author, Harris has written for television shows, including Bones and Crime Scene Investigation. He has been a champion on the quiz showsJeopardy! and Greed.

Sponsored by the Zane D. Showker Institute for Responsible Leadership, the program is free and open to the public.

Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state’s first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to more than 1,800 undergraduate students.