If Western students pay attention while walking around campus today, they just may hear the voice of Bart Simpson.

Something like, “Eat my shorts,” or perhaps “Aye Carumba!”

Nancy Cartwright will be speaking and giving a multimedia presentation at tonight at 7 in Van Meter Hall. Cartwright provides the voice of Bart Simpson and many other characters on FOX’s animated series “The Simpsons,” which is now in its 17th season.

The event is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board as a part of Western’s Leadership Celebration Week.

CAB advisor Azurdee Garland said that when Cartwright speaks at college campuses, she likes to wander around, get a feel for the place and talk to students. Garland said she saw a funny promotional video of Cartwright startling people with her character voices.

“Most people don’t realize that the voice of Bart Simpson is a five-foot tall blond woman,” Garland said.

Cartwright began doing Bart’s voice in 1987 for a series of animated shorts that appeared on “The Tracy Ullman Show.”

“The Simpsons” became a series in 1989, and Cartwright won an Emmy for her work in 1992.

Cartwright has also performed voices for many other animated characters, including Chuckie on Nickelodeon’s “Rugrats.”

CAB lecture chair Daniel Trujillo said Cartwright’s presentation will show how she was able to use her natural talent to find a career that she loves, a relevant issue for students.

“The majority of college students want a professional career they will enjoy, and Nancy was able to do that,” he said.

Garland said Cartwright is a fitting speaker for Leadership Celebration Week not only because of her success, but also because the example she has set through her philanthropy and charity work.

Cartwright has volunteered with organizations such as Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Happy House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Way to Happiness and the World Literacy Campaign.

She’s even been known to call seriously ill children in their hospital rooms for Famous Fone Friends. Garland said she finds out what the kids’ favorite cartoon characters are and then speaks to them in that voice.

Reach Hawkins Teague at features@wkuherald.com.