MTV coming to University of Michigan Thursday to tape pilot program

American Culture professor Bruce Conforth will be featured on a new pilot program profiling college lecturers across the nation.

MTV's college network mtvU will videotape a lecture by Conforth at the Ross School of Business Blau Auditorium Thursday at 6:15 p.m.

Conforth, who has taught at U-M since 2001, has become well-known at U-M for his end-of-the-year lectures. In his spare time he plays country and blues music on the guitar.

"He's very highly respected professor at the university," said Jake Urbanski, an MTV representative. "He's really in demand and we figure sometimes it's hard for these students to get into these classes and lectures and so we have a great venue."

Urbanski said U-M is the first campus featured on the program, which is so new it still doesn't have a name. No other campus visits have been scheduled yet, he said.

Students who attend the 45-minute event will have a chance to appear on mtvU, which reaches nearly 9 million students on more than 750 college campuses. The event is open to students in all disciplines.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.