Tonight, students who were once encouraged to "take a look, it's in a book" can come face to face with the man who once offered that advice.

Actor and director LeVar Burton will be speaking at 8 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium as part of the 2006-2007 Distinguished Speakers Series.

An advocate of literacy, Burton has been the executive producer and host of the PBS children's television series Reading Rainbow for more than 20 years.

Burton is currently also co-chairman of PBS literacy campaign Share-A-Story with first lady Laura Bush.

In addition to his work promoting literacy, Burton also built a successful career in acting and directing.

Burton launched his acting career with his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed miniseries Roots. He spent the next several years starring in various television movies before landing a role as Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Burton has since gone on to direct movies for Showtime and the Disney Channel.

Howard Wu, chairman of the Penn State Distinguished Speaker Series Committee, said the committee wanted to bring people of diverse backgrounds and varied accomplishments to speak this year, and Burton happened to fit the description of this perfectly.

The 2006-2007 Distinguished Speaker Series has featured a debate between American Civil Liberties Union President Nadine Strossen and political analyst Pat Buchanan, as well as speeches by former joint chief of staff General Richard Myers and conservationist Jeff Corwin last year.

The former first lady of Egypt, Jehan Sadat, will speak as part of the series on Feb. 15.

The committee has been busy promoting Burton's appearance.

Wu said he is expecting a large audience because of Burton's broad appeal.

"Almost every college student grew up watching Reading Rainbow. He certainly has wide appeal for Penn State students," he said.

Carley Bria, another member of the committee, said that she also anticipates a high turnout at tonight's speech.

"I definitely think he is one of the most recognizable names we have in the series this year," she said.

Wu said that he expects the event to be more interactive than those of the past.

"His speech will be a lot shorter to allow for more questions from the audience," he said.

Burton will also be reading books to schoolchildren today at the Schlow Library, Wu said.

Tickets for the event are free and can be picked up at the State College Downtown Theatre Center, the HUB-Robeson Center Information Desk and the Eisenhower Auditorium Box Office.