The University community will have opportunities to hear special presentations in the coming weeks and months from members of our outstanding faculty – including a Last Lecture series featuring Dr. Denise Baker.
Last Lecture series
Starting in October and continuing throughout the academic year, select professors who have announced their retirement will present a “final lecture.”
Dr. Vidya Gargeya (Bryan School), just before retiring, gave a dynamic final lecture at April’s Alumni All Access weekend. (See photo, above.) It was such a hit, the University, led by Alumni Engagement, will make “last lectures” a yearlong series.
“It’s an opportunity for retiring professors to reflect on a career in higher education and what they have learned over their years in the classroom,” says Beth Carlin ’14, ’17 MA, interim director of alumni engagement. The events will be made more meaningful by including former students as well as family, friends, and colleagues – a visual representation of the lives impacted within the professor’s sphere of influence.
These in-person events will feature a 30-45 minute lecture followed by Q&A, then a reception.
Former students, family, friends, colleagues, and the public are invited to attend.
The first Last Lecture for the fall semester was:
Dr. Denise Baker – Wednesday, Oct. 4, 4:30 p.m., MHRA Building, Room 1215. This event was presented by the English Department, in partnerships with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
Future Last Lectures will appear on the Alumni Engagement calendar.
Alumni All Access
Alumni and campus community members have come to know Alumni All Access as an engaging mix of arts and culture, hands-on experiences, and lectures on a variety of topics by faculty and alumni experts. This year, it’s in a new format.
Alumni All Access is now a recurring virtual series – completely online – with UNCG professors and subject-matter experts designed to engage, educate, and entertain.
The series began with “Dangerous Poetry: Our Lovers’ Quarrel with Literature and Art” with Dr. Chris Hodgkins, on Sept. 29. He examined ancient and modern reasons for suspecting, rejecting, or simply ignoring literature and art.
The next event:
Dr. Aaron Terranova on Oct. 24 presents “Medical Myths,” in which will explore popular stories and tales about health and medicine, discuss how they have permeated our culture, and determine if they are medical myths or medical marvels. (The link to Dr. Terranova’s presentation will be shared with registrants prior to the session.)