Author of The International Bank of Bob to speak at Bridgewater College

Bob Harris, the author of The International Bank of Bob, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 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 worlds’ 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 shows Jeopardy! and Greed.

Sponsored by the Zane D. Showker Leadership Institute, 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 approximately 1,800 undergraduate students.