Professors give countless lectures each semester to their
students. But, imagine if they had to decide what to say
if they had one last lecture to give.
Campus Life presents the "Last Lecture Series," an innovative
series that allows students to interact with top professors
at EMU in a format that extends beyond the professors'
disciplines and into their unique ideological belief structure.
The professors will reflect on what has made their life
and their life's work worthwhile, as if they were giving
their last lecture.
 |
Shichtman |
Martin Shichtman, professor of English language and literature;
Gary "Doc" Evans, professor of communication, media and
theatre arts; and Mary Bigler, professor of teacher education,
are scheduled to speak. All lectures begin at 7 p.m., in
the Student Center Auditorium and are followed by a light
reception.
Campus Life conducted a survey at the end of last year
and had students suggest professors they would like to
see lecture in this year's series. The three professors
chosen received the most nominations from a list of nearly
200 professors.
Shichtman, who presented at last year's series, presents
"History at the Edge of the Abyss: Not Dead Yet," Monday,
March 2.
"My presentation is a response to Henry Ford's assertion
that 'history is more or less bunk. We
don't want tradition. We want to live in the present...'"
Shichtman said. "In so many ways, Ford's words define what
it means to be an American. Yet, as a teacher, as a scholar,
I find myself constantly needing to explain what happened
and why."
Some courses Shichtman teaches include "Jewish
American Literature and Culture," "Culture and the Holocaust," "English
Literature of the Middle Ages," and "Studies in Chaucer."
 |
| Evans |
Evans presents his lecture, "A Life at the University," Tuesday,
March 17. His lecture will look at the role of a university
in the life of a nation, and its impact on society and
the individual.
"I think it ought to function as the conscious of a nation," said
Evans. "It ought to develop in students an appreciation
for the differences in people."
Evans believes that it is critical that a university teaches
the tools and skills of learning, and also instills in
students a sense of the value of an academic/intellectual
orientation of life.
Evans has been teaching at EMU for 44 years. He teaches
intercultural, leadership and organizational communication.
In 2004, he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian
Award, the award he said he is most proud of.
 |
Bigler |
Bigler wraps up the series with her lecture Monday, March
30. As a professor, her focus is reading and students in
her classes learn to teach others how to read.
"Everyone has wisdom to pass on to other people," Bigler
said. "We learn a lot from others in life if we listen."
Bigler plans to talk about the three things she feels
can help one in life: have great expectations, keep a positive
attitude and maintain a sense of humor.
"Being able to see the humor in situations; sometimes
that's a good survival skill," Bigler said.
She credits growing up in a fun-loving family and in a
farm community in Iowa as part of the reason for her positive
outlook on life. Both aspects provided her with a lot of
support.
"You have to have hope and faith," Bigler said. "Prevail,
not just survive."
For more information about the series, contact Campus
Life at 487-3045 or visit www.emich.edu/campuslife.
