A congressman-turned TV host, an astrophysicist and a prize-winning historian are among the six speakers at this year’s Sinai Forum, which will begin its 64th season on Sept. 10.

Leslie Plesac, the forum’s executive director, said the forum gives students the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to experts in a nearby venue. Plesac said students have the possibility of meeting the speakers as well. Speeches have a Q&A session at the end, and some of the speakers often have a book-signing event afterward.

“It’s really a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with those experts,” Plesac said.

Last year, Ted Koppel, an award-winning broadcast journalist, stayed at the book-signing table until he spoke to everyone in line who wanted to speak to him. However, it is not guaranteed each speaker will be able to stay that long.

This year’s season will begin with former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, now a news commentator and bestselling author, discussing “The Political Landscape with Morning Joe.” Next, on Sept. 24, the Manhattan Institute’s Jason L. Riley, a former editorial writer for The Wall Street Journal, will discuss “The State Against Blacks.”

On Oct. 15, theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, best-selling author and executive producer of the documentary “The Unbelievers,” will talk about the world’s place in the universe and the surprises of physics. On Oct. 29, historian Jon Meacham, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 2009 for his biography of President Andrew Jackson, will discuss President Donald Trump’s uniqueness in American history.

On Nov. 12, business journalist Sheelah Kolhatkar will present about the growing power of billionaires. On Dec. 3, science and sports journalist David Epstein will apply research on nature and nurture to sports.

All programs begin at 4 p.m. in the DSSAC on the Westville campus. All speakers beside Scarborough will have a book signing.

Judy Jacobi, assistant vice chancellor of Art Collections and Special Programs and a member of the forum’s advisory board for 40 years, said the forum looks for speakers who have proven themselves to be good communicators as well as entertaining. She has loved being part of the forum through the years and interacting with these experts.

“Having your intellectual curiosity satisfied is the most wonderful experience of a lifetime,” she said.

Jacobi said the opportunity to schedule Scarborough for this season was tremendous. Trump targeted him and his fiancée on Twitter this summer. She thinks Scarborough may draw even more attention.

Sylvia and Milton Bankoff founded the Sinai Forum with community members in Michigan City in 1953. The forum began operating under former Purdue University North Central in 2006.

The forum receives ideas about topics from its advisory board and from surveys to its subscribers. These suggestions help members of the forum understand what people would be most interested in. However, sometimes the speakers’ cost and availability are major factors as to why some discussions do not work out.

Plesac said she went as far as contacting 25 potential speakers this year. She wanted to get a speaker from the Chicago Cubs after they won the World Series and she met manager Joe Maddon as he was exiting an elevator. They talked, and he seemed intrigued about the forum, but his schedule did not work out.

“He’s not off our list yet,” Plesac said.

Regular season admission costs $100, which includes general seating for all the speakers. A patron season ticket costs $225, which allows for reserved seating and a chance to meet the speakers at an exclusive reception at 2:30 p.m before the event.

Tickets can be bought online at pnw.edu, but tickets ordered after Aug. 31, will be held at Will Call and can be picked up on the day of the event. Tickets can also be purchased at The Lubezni Center for the Arts at 101 W. Second St., Michigan City; Kabelin Hardware at 512 Andrew Ave., La Porte or Porter County Communication Foundation at 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso.

Admission is free for students who show a valid high school or university I.D., however, it is not free to attend the exclusive meeting with the speakers. Students who wish to meet them would have to buy a patron season ticket.