Inside Iowa State

Sept. 12, 2008

Series focuses on sustainability

by Paula Van Brocklin

If the topic of sustainability interests you, check out the Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities' fall 2008 programming series, "Sustaining the Earth."

The series, funded in part by a Humanities Iowa grant, kicks off Sept. 18 with a reception (6:30 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union) featuring CEAH fellows' poster presentations. Then, Scott Peters, associate professor of education studies at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., presents the series' first lecture (8 p.m., Sun Room, Memorial Union), in which he discusses the role land-grant universities play in pursuing the challenge of global sustainability.

Joseph Kupfer, director of CEAH, said this year's series offers broad public appeal.

"Sustaining the earth isn't just of interest to academics," Kupfer said. "You have the people who like to go hunting and fishing, those who like swimming and boating. There are people who care about the soil and how to preserve it."

Kupfer encourages ISU employees, students and the entire community to attend the events.

"We want to reach the public," Kupfer said. "So much of [Iowa's] income and economic wealth depends on farming. This series will feed into state and local economy questions."

The CEAH series continues through mid-November with six additional lecturers from disciplines including law, history, philosophy and education. The Brunnier Art Museum also is hosting an exhibit featuring photographs of poisoned ecologies from around the world. The exhibit opens Nov. 1 and closes March 1, 2009.

"Sustaining the Earth"

Complete list of speakers, events and topics.