Television stars, politicians, writers and movie directors are only a small sample of the people who will be visiting campus this spring to speak to the Iowa State community.

One of the more high-profile people scheduled to speak on campus this semester is political figure Elizabeth Dole.

Dole recently resigned as head of the American Red Cross, and there is speculation that she may run for president on the Republican ticket in the 2000 election.

Dianne Bystrom, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women in Politics, said Dole has been very involved in the political arena, apart from her husband Bob Dole’s career.

“We thought she was a good role model for women and men; she is a very admired woman, and also she’s an interesting speaker,” Bystrom said.

Some of Dole’s past experiences include serving as secretary of transportation for former President Ronald Reagan and secretary of labor for former President George Bush.

Dole’s speech, which is titled “Women and Leadership,” will be held Feb. 19. It is tentatively scheduled to be held in Stephens Auditorium.

Pat Miller, director of the Committee on Lectures, said some other interesting visitors include Ana Gasteyer, who will be giving an informal presentation about her experiences on Saturday Night Live, and cult film maker John Waters, who will present during the Conference on Film in February.

Gasteyer is known for her comedic portrayals of Martha Stewart and Celine Dion and Waters became a pop culture figure for his raunchy movies, including “Serial Mom,” “Hairspray” and “Pink Flamingos.”

Water’s most recent movie, “Pecker,” will be shown in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union the day before his lecture.

J. Herman Blake, professor of African American studies, said students also should look forward to a visit from Mari Evans, who is best known for her signature poem, “I am a Black Woman.”

Blake said Evans is “considered one of the most outstanding poets in African culture” and should give a compelling speech.

All lectures are free and open to the public.

Some of the featured speakers for the first half of this semester include:

• Jan. 25 — Bernard Evans, “The Changing Structure of U.S. Agriculture: Any Room for Ethics?” at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• Feb. 2 — Movie critic Molly Haskell, “Whose Fantasy are we Seeing?” at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of Memorial Union.

• Feb. 4 — Waters, on “Shock Value,” at 8 p.m. in Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• Feb. 5 — Carmen Weets and Chris Brock, “The Business of Entertainment: From Iowa to Hollywood,” at noon in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.

• Feb. 24 — Rae Lewis-Thornton, on “Living With AIDS,” 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• March 2 — Ana Gasteyer, on “SNL,” at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• March 24 — Evans, a poetry reading, at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

• March 29 — Nariman Behravesh, “The Asian Currency Crisis,” at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.