Award-winning ESPN writer Ryan Hockensmith is scheduled to commence the 20th-anniversary celebrations for the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism with a public lecture at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, in the Kern Auditorium.

Hockensmith earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State in 2001 and went on to intern with “ESPN The Magazine” and continued his career with the company ever since. Hockensmith will discuss his career and an overview of sports writing to those in attendance.

Hockensmith has worked with ESPN as a writer and editor for espnW, ESPN.com, and ESPN The Magazine.

The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, which was a first of its kind 20 years ago, is known best for its exploration of issues and trends in sports journalism through instruction, outreach, programming, and research. The center leads with an emphasis on hands-on learning and focuses on preparing students for internships and jobs.