Internationally renowned AIDS researcher Robert Gallo, award-winning social psychologist Elliot Aronson, and UC Berkeley astronomy professor and planet hunter Geoffrey Marcy are just a few of the diverse array of speakers set to appear at UC Santa Cruz in the coming year.
It's all part of UCSC's 2004 "Thinking at the Edge" Distinguished Lecture Series, which kicks off on January 20 with a presentation by actress and producer Yolanda King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. All of the lectures are free and open to the public.
Since the founding of the campus in 1965, UCSC's academic divisions and departments have presented hundreds of special lecture events that have been primarily attended by members of the campus community. The 2004 "Thinking at the Edge" series is designed to highlight and feature those lectures that would be of the greatest interest to the general public.
"The campus is eager to bring these engaging, thought-provoking lectures-- addressing a wide range of scientific, social, and political issues--to the broader community," noted Ronald P. Suduiko, vice chancellor for University Relations.
"There are many great lectures offered on campus throughout the year that the community would love, but doesn't always hear about," added University Events director Trink Praxel. "This new lecture series will give some of these lectures greater visibility and give the community new opportunities to share in the campus's academic offerings."
The 2004 "Thinking at the Edge" winter/spring lineup:
Tuesday, January 20--Yolanda King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., will speak on "Living the Dream," a discussion of the importance of continuing Dr. King's work and philosophy as part of the 20th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation. Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 5--Barbara Rogoff, UCSC Foundation psychology professor, UC Presidential Chair, and nationally recognized cross-cultural researcher on how children learn, will discuss her work as she delivers UCSC's annual Faculty Research Lecture. Music Center Recital Hall, UCSC, 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 11--Elliot Aronson, UCSC emeritus professor of psychology, was just named one of the most eminent psychologists of the 20th century by the Review of General Psychology. He will speak on "The Elephant in the Parlor: How the Columbine High School Massacre Could Have Been Prevented" at the UCSC Emeritus Faculty Lecture. Media Theater, UCSC, 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 4--Robert Gallo, M.D., director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland and co-discoverer of the HIV virus as the cause of AIDS, will talk about HIV's pathogenic mechanisms, suggest methods for scientific aid to needy nations, and outline a path to a preventive vaccine as he delivers UCSC's annual Sinsheimer Lecture. Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room, UCSC, 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 13--Ernie Cortez, regional director for the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), recipient of a MacArthur "genius" award, and one of the premier community organizers and community-based intellectuals in the country, will present UCSC's Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community Lecture. Holy Cross Church Parish Hall, Santa Cruz, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 17--Sandra Faber, renowned UCSC astronomy professor and UCO/Lick Observatories astronomer, has been involved with two of the major optical astronomy ventures of recent years--the Hubble Space Telescope and the W. M. Keck Observatory. She will deliver the Banana Slug Spring Fair Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Bhojwani Dining Room at the University Center (located above the College Nine and Ten Dining Hall), UCSC, 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19--Geoffrey Marcy, professor of astronomy at UC Berkeley, astronomer at UCO/Lick Observatories, and renowned planet hunter, will present the Spring Halliday Lecture. Location TBA, 8:00 p.m.
Spring 2004 (Date, time, location--TBA)--Jane Lubchenko, marine biology professor and distinguished professor of zoology at Oregon State University, member of the Pew Oceans Commission, and world-recognized expert on nearshore regions of the Pacific Coast, will present the first annual Keeley Lecture.
For more information, contact Beth Nelson, University Events Office, at (831) 459-1438 or via e-mail, bnelson@ucsc.edu.
