Smiley to Headline 'Live' Saturday Night @OBU

After a week of learning the school yell and the alma mater, as well as beginning classes on Bison Hill, OBU freshmen will be treated to guest comedian Bob Smiley during "Live" Saturday Night @OBU.

The event is slated for Saturday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Potter Auditorium. All OBU students, employees and members of the community are invited to attend.

Smiley's website says his career as a comedian began "many moons ago -- before the invention of Ritalin or the Internet" -- as a young, broke college student named Roberto Antonio Smiley who participated in a stand-up competition at his Student Union Building.

"Since that incredibly average performance, Roberto shortened his name to 'Bob' and started a caffeine-induced tour spreading laughter and gaiety to the masses," the site says. As the merchandise-managing MC for bands such as Newsboys, Third Day and Mercy Me, the entertainer's connections "led to a swarm of goatee'd youth leaders begging Smiley to come entertain their sugar-high kid herds."

Sixteen years later, Smiley is one of the nation's most in-demand and hilarious clean comedians.

"Live" Saturday Night @OBU will include a fun look at OBU traditions and athletics presented by Ray Fink, OBU sports information director. The event also will feature the premiere of the 2012 Welcome Week video.

A fellowship will follow the event on the lawn between Raley Chapel and the Geiger Center.

To find Smiley's bio, photos and other information, visit his website.