The University of Wisconsin will host a National Medal of Science winner, a world-famous human rights activist and an iconic American journalist as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series on campus this fall.
According to Eric Schmidt, director of DLS, the committee has arranged an extremely diverse group of speakers this year, including many more international speakers than last year.
Speakers include such highlights as Dr. Francisco Ayala, a National Medal of Science winner and outspoken critic of U.S. restrictions on embryonic stem cell research; journalist Robin Wright, who has written about U.S. foreign policy for publications such as The Washington Post and Atlantic Monthly; and human rights activist and former child soldier Ishmael Bael.
He explained DLS had a budget surplus last year and was able to use that money to fund more of this year’s speakers.
“I’m especially impressed by the lineup this year because of the depth and breadth of the speakers,” Schmidt said. “There’s something for everyone this year.”
Additionally, DLS is also sponsoring two “parallel” events this fall, including the “Distinguished Alumni Series: Living the Wisconsin Idea” and “UW Votes 2008.”
One of the upcoming speakers includes humanitarian and UW alumna Linnea Smith. Smith left her medical practice in Wisconsin to move to Peru to offer medical services to developing communities.
Smith, a returning speaker, said in this lecture she will focus on what it is like to live outside the United States and to lack amenities many take for granted.
“The more you can hear about, see, feel, experience the world, the more you’re able to expand your own perspectives and horizons, and that’s good for everyone,” Smith said.
Farha Tahir, associate director for the Spotlight Series for DLS, said the committee thought focusing on alumni experiences and the presidential election would be engaging for students.
“Obviously the election is going to be playing a huge role in the fall semester,” Tahir said. “This topic seemed like a really cool thing to pursue.”
Tahir explained the Spotlight Series is meant to be smaller than DLS, and the speakers brought to campus are not necessarily on the major speaking circuit.
“These are speakers who a lot of people may not have heard of, but are all doing really important things in their fields,” Tahir said.
Schmidt said the committee passes out ballots in the spring to vote for potential speakers in the upcoming year.
He also said students do not need to be in the committee to make a nomination, and the committee entertains all serious suggestions made by students, faculty and staff.
