Distinguished Series will create a “lively intellectual discourse,” says Dean of Special Academic Programs
Round two of this year’s Distinguished Lecture Series will take place over the next few weeks, bringing to the podium food system activist Ellen Gustafson Feb. 4 and former governor of Federal Reserve System Randall Kroszner Feb. 12, both with a myriad of achievements under their belts.
Started in 2000 by former Seaver Dean David Baird, the Distinguished Lecture Series consists of TED-Talk type discussions that feature acclaimed scholars who are motivated and passionate about specific issues.
From being featured in magazines to giving speeches across the world, the upcoming speakers have a laundry list of significant awards and accomplishments.
Gustafson, a food system activist, has addressed the Italian Parliament, given lectures at universities from Harvard and Columbia University to the U.S. Naval Academy, and she has spoken at Fortune’s Most Powerful Women’s Conference, among many other things.
With the intent of connecting the struggle with hunger in some parts of the world and the influx of obesity in others, Gustafson founded the 30 Project and ChangeDinner campaigns, now part of an organization called Food Tank. Gustafson also co-founded FEED Projects LLC, creating consumer products that provide food to the hungry around the world.
Kroszner, an economics expert, will speak about responding to a financial crisis and initiatives for improving consumer protection.
From 2006 to 2009, Kroszner served as the governor of the Federal Reserve System. He was a voting member on the Federal Open Market Committee; and under former President George W. Bush, Kroszner was a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) from 2001 to 2003.
He has more than 100 publications on topics including banking and financial regulation. Currently, he is the Norman R. Bobins Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Fourteen years ago, Baird began the program “out of a desire to bring top scholars, practicing academics and leading intellectual activists to Seaver College,” assistant Dean of Special Academic Programs Dana Dudley wrote in an email.
“The goal is that we can create a lively intellectual discourse among students, faculty and staff on a variety of important topics,” Dudley wrote.
According to Dudley, the University looks for engaging speakers who represent the wide variety of disciplines and interests at Seaver College.
“We seek suggestions for speakers from Seaver faculty and students,” she wrote. “Obviously we get more suggestions for speakers than we can invite each year. I keep the suggestion list, add new suggestions and revisit previous ones each year as we begin planning next year’s program.”
Both the talks have been moved to 5 p.m. for students’ convenience, and will take place in Elkins Auditorium. Dudley wrote that since the time has been moved, attendance has significantly increased, and they are expecting around 300 people.
“In general, the lecturers selected are either high-powered academics that we want our students to hear and have a chance to engage, or people who are making a significant difference in our world,” said Dean of Seaver College Rick Marrs, who helps select the speakers.
“The [speakers] give our students a chance to think seriously about the various ways in which an educated person can put education to use to benefit society locally, nationally or even globally.”
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