On Wednesday, January 23, a group of Arts Scholars and Arts and Sciences students (below) were amazed by card illusions performed by alumnus Joshua Jay during a dinner in Stillman Hall.

Jay was in town managing a magician convention in Dublin, Ohio, with more than 600 magicians attending from throughout the world. Following some impressive magic tricks, Jay spoke to students about their interests in the performing arts and about his career path after graduating from Ohio State.

Jay is an award-winning magician, author, and lecturer who has performed his show in more than 59 countries. In 1998 he was crowned World Champion of Close-up Magic at the World Magic Seminar and he has subsequently appeared on every major television network. He is the author of seven books on magic, including the best-selling MAGIC: The Complete Course [Workman, 2008], which is available in four languages. Jay specializes in close-up magic and is a headliner at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. He graduated with a degree in English in 2005 and currently lives in New York City.