A Feast of Ideas: Spring Convocations Schedule has Something for Everyone

Published: December 14, 2009 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Students and community members can expect "A Feast of Ideas" when a Harvard law professor, an Olympic gold-medalist and a lawyer who represented America's prisoners of war in World War II visit Southern Utah University's campus as part of the 2010 spring semester line-up for the University’s Convocation Lecture Series. 

And that is just the beginning. A more than 25-year-old program at SUU, the University Convocations regularly feature top scholars, musicians, philosophers, scientists, educators, authors, and activists, with the goal to increase understanding and opportunity for personal, academic and professional growth across the University and the region. Each unique presentation brings a new world perspective to the public’s consideration and seeks to both educate and inspire. 

Past speakers have included Pulitzer Prize winners, Fulbright Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, Olympic gold-medalists and famous personalities. 

This spring's line-up features many talented and knowledgeable individuals, beginning with James W. Parkinson, the lawyer who represented WWII prisoners of war, as the semester’s first presenter on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The series runs weekly, generally on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., and will then conclude mid-April with professor, playwright and Ibsen scholar Dr. Eric Samuelsen. 

Jeb Branin, director of convocation, orientation and parent services at SUU, sees the Convocations as “a benefit to all” and seeks to recruit presenters with fresh perspectives and timely messages. Beyond that, Branin cannot pinpoint a given criteria for selection. Rather, he explains, "We strive for an academically diverse tapestry of events in keeping with our theme ‘A Feast of Ideas’." 

And with a spring line-up that includes the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company; Lori Arviso Alvord, the first female Navajo surgeon; and Vonetta Flowers, the first African-American gold medalist in the Winter Olympics, those in attendance will certainly get their fill, with something uniquely entertaining each week. 

All SUU Convocations are free and open to the public. 

Additionally, beginning this spring semester, senior citizens over the age of 62 can register for the SUU Convocations program as an auditing student with no cost for tuition. Those interested may contact SUU’s Registrar for additional details: 435-865-8470. 

A complete list of Convocations presenters and additional information about each presenter for the spring 2010 semester is available online.

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