The Winter Life-Long Learning (LLL) Lecture Series at Fort Lewis College will resume on January 15, 2024, featuring a wide range of topics from nuclear weapons to environmental sustainability. This marks the start of the series’ 26th year, offering free educational programs to the community.
The opening lecture, presented by FLC nuclear engineer Billy Nollet, will delve into the complexities of nuclear weapons and the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction. This event sets the tone for an engaging series aimed at fostering dialogue and knowledge sharing among attendees.
Lecture Series Overview
The series will take place every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 130 Noble Hall, the Center of Southwest Studies, and Roshong Recital Hall. Each program runs approximately one hour, followed by a 30-minute question and discussion period. Gary Rottman, the LLL team leader, noted the significant participation of FLC faculty this winter, enhancing the series with expert insights.
Parking for attendees is complimentary, with options to navigate icy stairs or take a safer ramp. Rottman expressed hope for strong attendance, stating, “Every program presents a unique opportunity for learning and community engagement.”
Detailed Schedule of Events
The series features an array of topics and speakers, including:
– **January 22**: Environmental sociologist Becky Clausen will discuss “Reclaiming the Commons Through Collective Action,” focusing on local case studies that promote equitable communities and sustainable food systems.
– **January 29**: Kip Boyd, a physician and historian, will recount the contributions of William T. Kirkpatrick, a businessman who significantly impacted Durango post-Civil War.
– **February 5**: FLC professors Paul DeBell and Candace Nadon will explore the connection between the SkyPEP partnership and the Skywords Visiting Writers, emphasizing political engagement.
– **February 12**: Barbara McLachlan, a fourth-generation Coloradan, will share insights on her great-grandmother’s role in establishing Colorado’s historical monument program.
– **February 19**: Presenters Ruby Rain Williams and Kira Tenney will highlight the cultural revitalization following the dam removal on the Klamath River and its impact on Indigenous youth leadership.
– **February 26**: Attorney Frank Lockwood will address conflict management strategies, providing techniques to navigate challenging situations.
– **March 5**: Peter Butler, a veteran in mine remediation, will discuss the mining history and environmental impacts in San Juan County.
– **March 12**: Retired solar physicist Gary Rottman will explain the physical processes behind the aurora borealis.
– **March 19**: No program due to Spring Break.
– **March 26**: Cory Pillen and Amy Cao will discuss their interdisciplinary collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the FLC Chemistry Department.
– **April 2**: FLC biology professor Tim Korpita will examine a new fungal pathogen affecting local species.
– **April 9**: Professor Amy Wendland will explore the contributions of Victorian women artist-scientists to botanical research.
– **April 16**: History professor Andrew Gulliford will provide an update on the Bears Ears National Monument.
The LLL Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Office of the President and the FLC Professional Associates, aims to enrich community knowledge and foster dialogue on vital issues. For more information, visit www.fortlewis.edu/LLL or contact Gary Rottman at [email protected].
