Ruth Westheimer, the world-renowned sex therapist known as Dr. Ruth, will speak at 8 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium. Westheimer is known for her contributions to establishing media psychology with her radio program Sexually Speaking, which debuted in 1980. The Sunday night show developed into an hour-long popular call-in show discussing various sexual topics.

Penn State spokesman Geoff Rushton said Westheimer and upcoming speaker James Earl Jones were late additions to the Distinguished Speaker Series. "Obviously we're very excited to have her added on," Rushton said. "She's been a known name for quite some time and has a very interesting expertise."

Westheimer is famous for using media to spread what she calls "sexual literacy," and for her frank advice on risqué subject matters.

Todd Bacastow (senior-information sciences and technology) a member of the Distinguished Series Speaker committee, said the committee thought Westheimer's visit would be appropriate so close to Valentine's Day. "It happened to work out that Westheimer was able to schedule near Valentine's Day," Bacastow said. "Given the nature of her expertise, we thought it'd be a great time for her to speak."

Westheimer is currently an adjunct professor at New York University and frequently guest lectures at universities across the country.

The 73-year-old native of Germany has lived all around the world. At age 10, she was sent to a school in Switzerland, which later became an orphanage for Jewish German children during World War II. Westheimer was also a member of Haganah, a Jewish freedom fighting organization that helped Israel fight for its independence in the 1940s.

She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the Sorbonne in Paris, then came to the United States to earn her doctoral degree in education from Columbia University.

"She's a very well-educated woman and a funny speaker," Rushton said.

Westheimer is the fourth speaker in this year's series. Past speakers included Robert Novak, Howard Dean and Soledad O'Brien, and upcoming speakers include Alice Walker and James Earl Jones.

The event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets can be picked up at the Eisenhower Box Office, the HUB-Robeson Center and the Downtown Theatre Center and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.