Lectures and convocations are generally free and open to the public. Check the online Lawrence University Calendar for details, including whether an event is ticketed.
University Convocations
Five all-college convocations are scheduled each year, beginning with the Matriculation Convocation, at which the president speaks, and ending with an Honors Convocation at which the academic and extra-curricular achievements of students are given special recognition. The faculty Committee on Public Occasions invites individuals of high accomplishment and profound insight to address members of the college and Fox Valley communities on topics of broad interest. Convocations are held on Tuesdays or Thursdays at the 11:10 a.m. hour, which is reserved for that purpose.
Main Hall Forum
Main Hall Forum presents a wide range of lectures by Lawrence faculty and distinguished guest speakers on historical and contemporary issues and recent scholarship in the humanities and social sciences. Previous lectures have included a University of Wisconsin professor of English discussing how F. Scott Fitzgerald projected separate autobiographical aspects of himself into the "The Great Gatsby;" an examination of the causes and consequences of political polarization in America by a Harvard University professor of public policy; an appearance by a senior Russian diplomat, who explained Russia's opposition to military action in Iraq; and an overview of the emerging appreciation of melodrama in the study of theatre history, as seen by a historian from the University of Manchester in Manchester, England. Proceed to the Main Hall Forum webpage.
Science Hall Colloquium
The Science Hall Colloquium presents a series of cross-disciplinary lectures that address research developments in diverse areas of the natural and physical sciences. Previous lectures have included a Time magazine science writer discussing the latest evidence and newest discoveries related to possible extraterrestrial life; a cell biologist from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School speaking on transgenic technology and gene therapy; and a University of Northern Illinois physics professor and international authority on musical acoustics examining the acoustics of drums.
Fine Arts Colloquium
The Fine Arts Colloquium presents several occasional lectures during the academic year that touch on topics related to art, art history, and theatre.
The Mojmir Povolny Lectureship in International Studies
Established in 1987 and named in honor of long-time Lawrence government professor Mojmir Povolny, the lectureship promotes interest and discussion on issues of moral significance and ethical dimensions.
Other Speakers
Other speaking opportunities include the Marguerite Schumann, ’44, Memorial Lectureship, which sponsors speakers on topics that were of special interest to Ms. Schumann, such as history, music, and writing; the Mia T. Paul, ’95, Poetry Fund Lectures, which have brought to campus the acclaimed poet and scholar Edward Hirsch, the then poet laureate of the United States, Billy Collins, and, most recently, poets Robert Creeley and William Fuller; the William Chaney Lectureship in the Humanities; the Edward F. Mielke Lecture Series in Biomedical Ethics; and the Spoerl Lectureship in Science in Society.
