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Framingham State University is pleased to announce the creation of the President’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which will bring scholars from across the country to the University for presentations on thought-provoking issues, ideas and theories.
The 2011-12 Series, which is sponsored by the Office of the President, seeks to challenge academic assumptions, enhance co-curricular learning and provoke stimulating debate and conversation.
“Thinking, reading, and talking about important ideas is the heart and soul of the academic experience,” says Framingham State President Timothy Flanagan. “Developing a lecture series around a powerful set of ideas provides an opportunity for faculty, staff and students to enliven the academic environment.”
The theme of the inaugural series is Five Minds for the Future, which is drawn from renown psychologist Howard Gardner’s book of the same name. Dr. Gardner, most famous for his theory of multiple intelligences, builds on this idea to suggest that globalization and technology have redefined the skill set needed to be a contributing citizen in the 21st century. He advocates for the cultivation of five modes of thinking, including the “disciplined mind,” the “synthesizing mind,” the “creating mind,” the “respectful mind,” and the “ethical mind.”
The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series 2011-2012 will feature five speakers – one for each kind of mind – culminating in Dr. Gardner’s presentation as the keynote speaker in May. Each lecture is free and open to the community.
“It is a diverse group of thoughtful people we have joining us for the lecture series,” Flanagan says. “And, the Series is a great opportunity to open up the campus to the entire community.”
The University thanks the Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching, Scholarship and Service (CELTSS) and faculty members who contributed their time and efforts to securing the speakers for the Series.
This year’s speakers are:
Dr. Anne West
“Mapping Artistic Intelligence as a Practice of Synthesis”
October 12, 2011 – 7 p.m.
Susan Retik
“Beyond the 11th: The Ethical Mind and Global Citizenship”
November 3, 2011 – TBD
Naomi Tutu
“Ubuntu: Our Shared Humanity”
February 8, 2012 – 7 p.m.
Richard Louv
“The Nature Principle and Notes from the New Nature Movement”
March 28, 2012 - 7 p.m.
Dr. Timothy J. Flanagan
“Policing America’s Communities; Evolution and Innovation in Law Enforcement Practice”
April 10, 2012, 4:30 p.m.
Dr. Howard Gardner
“Five Minds for the Future”
May 16, 2012, 7 p.m.
All lectures are tentatively scheduled to be held in the North Hall Common Room.
