The 2015-2016 Convocation theme is, “Rediscovering the Diversity of the Human Spirit.” The keynote speaker Wade Davis is slated to appear on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 3 p.m., in King Concert Hall.
Convocation Series events during the fall semester, free and open to the public, include:
- Screening of the documentary, “The Mask You Live In,” on Thursday, Oct.15, at 6:30 p.m., Jewett Hall Room 101. Sponsored by the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, the documentary follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s definition of masculinity. The film not only explores how such definitions of masculinity harm men and boys, but also what society can do to challenge them.
- Screening of the documentary, “Food Chains: The Revolution in America’s Fields,” on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m., Kelly Auditorium, Science Center Room 105;
- A lecture by Jennifer Lofkrantz to help mark the 100th year of the Birth of the Modern Middle East, “Captivity and Ransoming in Islamic Africa: Historical and Contemporary Practices,” on Monday, Oct. 26, at v5 p.m., Science Center Room 126;
- A talk by Iraq War Veteran Matt Gallagher, “Diversity, the Human Spirit and War,” on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m., Kelly Auditorium, Science Center Room 105;
- A presentation by Professor Mahmood Karimi-Hakak, “Peacebuilding Through the Arts: Shakespeare in Iran and the U.S.,” on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., Fenton Hall Room 105;
- A presentation to highlight international students’ academic experiences at Fredonia and American students’ experiences abroad, “Research, Education, and Performance across Borders,” on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 3 p.m., Williams Center Room S204ABC;
- Student Exhibits on Display in Reed Library with the theme, “What Are People For?’ Kurt Vonnegut, Technology, and Humanism.” Presentations and a reception are slated for Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 4-6 p.m. in the Japanese Garden Area of the library, and,
- A presentation by Winona La Duke for the Closing Ceremony of Native American History Month, “Love Water Not Oil: Native American Perspectives on the Keystone Pipeline,” on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., Rosch Recital Hall.
In addition, the book identified as the fall semester “Common Read,” for Convocation is the “House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.
