A picture tells a thousand words and so do the editorial cartoons by Michael Ramirez, who delivered the Spring William O’Neil lecture Tuesday afternoon. 

Ramirez received the National Journalism award, the 1996 Mencken award for Best Cartoon, and the Pulitzer Prize for his editorial cartoons in 1994 and 2008. He is currently co-editor of Investor’s Business Daily.

“Michael was an interesting choice because he brought a different perspective and substantial ideas about the economics, politics, government and business in society, all of which are the meat and potatoes of journalism,” Mark Vamos, the O’Neil chair of business journalism, said.

The event took place in the Crum Auditorium of the Collins Executive Education Center, Ramirez amused an audience of SMU professors, business and journalism students with witty anecdotes and cartoon slideshow.

Following his introduction,  Ramirez explained that he lures his readers into the political process by illustrating current events with a touch of humor—a powerful weapon. Most of his cartoons receive plenty of feedback, which he says is a job well done.

“As a journalist, I get people venting because people should be passionate about what they believe in,” Ramirez said.