The Silk Road, the Railroad and insufferable music snobbery are three of the topics to be explored this fall in the latest edition of Fort Lewis College’s annual free lecture series.
“We’re approaching our 20th year of offering town-gown lectures at the college,” said Gary Rottman, leader of the Life-long Learning team that organizes the program. Rottman is a retired scientist from the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, and member of the FLC Professional Associates. “From the beginning back in the winter of 2000, our Thursday presentations have featured a mix of faculty, community members and out-of-town guests. This fall, we’re joining forces with Colorado Humanities to launch a month-long program with other cultural institutions titled: History Live! Collectively, we’re joined by Colorado Humanities, who helped us launch what we hope will be an annual event.”
To see all the History Live programs, visit shorturl.at/bjvWZ.
FLC’s Life-long Learning program is modeled on similar projects at colleges and universities across the country, Rottman said. All FLC presentations are free and begin at 7 p.m. Thursdays, usually in 130 Noble Hall. Since the beginning in 2000, the lectures are co-sponsored by the Office of the President and the FLC Professional Associates, a volunteer organization of college supporters.
“This fall, we’re beginning a week early to join the History Live! Initiative,” Rottman said. “And, we will be featuring two Chautauqua-style speakers, sponsored again by Colorado Humanities.”
Sept. 5: White Guys on Horseback. Journalist and art historian Judith Reynolds will update the controversy over Civil War statues that ignited in Charlottesville in 2017. Options, solutions and the politics of erasure will also be explored.Sept. 11 and 12: Two Chautauqua presentations will be held at Durango Arts Center. Actor-scholars Susan Frontczak and Doug Mishler will present living-history portrayals of Eleanor Roosevelt and Nikola Tesla on consecutive nights as part of History Live Durango. Sept. 19: Water Conservation and Environmental Law in Colorado and the West. Retired Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court Greg Hobbs will discuss two opinions he wrote that are helping shape environmental law in Colorado. Co-sponsored by Trout Unlimited.Sept. 26: How the Railroad Brought Fresh, Refrigerated Produce to Durango. Duane Danielson, a life-long railroader, will use the concept of a recently rebuilt refrigerator car to discuss how Durango’s grocery stores got fresh produce from 1920-1950.Oct. 3: The Silk Roads Resurrected. Marilee Jantzer White will discuss the ancient trading routes and offer perspectives on current Chinese initiatives on “A Silk Road Economic Belt.”Oct. 10: Law Enforcement in the National Parks. Criminal investigator Paul Berkowitz will examine the historic role rangers have played in combating crime in the parks.Oct. 17: The Colorado Longitudinal Study and what it means for you. Visiting lecturer Phyllis Wise will discuss COLS, the largest biobank in the world and its comprehensive research.Oct. 24: When and How did We Become so Divided? Mike Todt will explore the historical roots of our divisiveness and short- and long-term consequences.Oct. 31: A look at the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. Former radio broadcaster Bob Griffith will play Franklin’s music and tell us about her many accomplishments from child prodigy to pop star.Nov. 7: Fake News & Critical Reviews: Insufferable Music Snobbery Since the 17th Century. Andreas Tischhauser will take a humorous look at musical styles and works through the eyes of critics. NOTE: This presentation will be held in Roshong Recital Hall. Nov. 14: The Secret Life of Bees. FLC associate professor William Collins will discuss the fine-tuned cooperation of honey bee colonies and illustrate amazing democratic processes used for the good of the hive.Nov. 21: Population, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Policy. University of Denver professor Brian O’Neill will explore ways in which population change influences climate issues.
If you go
WHAT:
Fort Lewis College Life-long Learning Lecture Series.
WHEN:
7 p.m. Thursdays, from Sept. 5 through Nov. 21.
WHERE:
130 Noble Hall at FLC unless otherwise indicated.
TICKETS:
Free
MORE information:
Visit www.fortlewis/edu/LLL or call FLC director of community relations at 247-7207.
