March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22 (Fridays)
9:30-11:30 am
THE CRISPR REVOLUTION: HOW GENOME EDITING IS ADVANCING SCIENCE
Friday, March 25
The recent development of the CRISPR genome editing tool has revolutionized science in the last few years. It has improved our ability to understand fundamental questions in biology and has led to the development of new treatments for a variety of human diseases. Along with these advancements comes new discussions of what are ethical uses of this technology.
Alysia Vrailas-Mortimer, Associate Professor of Aging and Physiology, Coordinator of the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Biotechnology Graduate and Undergraduate Programs, ISU
UNUSUAL AND UNIQUE SITES IN ILLINOIS
Friday, April 1
Explore quirky sites in Illinois with Bob and Reenie Bradley. See what make the state so interesting. The longest epitaph in granite, a memorial in a town square to a circus elephant struck and killed by lightning and a community built to survive the end-of-the-world are a few of the sites that will be featured.
Robert Bradley,
Professor Emeritus, Politics & Government, ISU
Reenie Bradley,
ISU alum (1983) and Office of Admissions Retiree, ISU
THE IMPACT OF RIVIAN: GROWTH IN THE TWIN CITIES
Friday, April 8
What’s all the buzz about surrounding Rivian and the electric vehicle industry? The addition of Rivian to the area has added a significant number of new jobs, various new business opportunities, valuable partnerships and evolving Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Technology training programs at Heartland Community College. Local leaders have credited Rivian with energizing the community. Learn why Bloomington-Normal continues to gain national attention as it becomes known for highly-advanced green manufacturing.
Zach Dietmeier,
Sr. Manager, Plant Communications, Rivian
Patrick Hoban,
Chief Executive Officer, Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council
Curt Rendall,
Executive Director, Work Ready Program Development and Innovation, Heartland Community College
BANNED & BURNED: BOOK CENSORSHIP THEN & NOW
Friday, April 15
Banning and burning books is nothing new. For centuries books have been censored and sometimes burned for many reasons, including blasphemy, sex, witchcraft, violence, age appropriateness and more. Learn why books from Junie B. Jones to Captain Underpants and Harry Potter are censored. Hear about several contemporary situations that lead to banning of specific books and how these are resolved.
Pennie Gray,
Associate Professor of Educational Studies and Coordinator of Elementary Education. Illinois Wesleyan University
Karen Schmidt,
Professor and University Librarian Emerita, IWU
1 KEN AND 2 HAROLDS: IMPACTFUL ARTISTS
Friday, April 22
The late 1960's and early 1970's began a unique era for Universities across the nation. Expanding enrollment, new majors and cultural experimentation heralded great shifts for students, faculty and communities. Emblematic of these changes was the rise of fine arts programs. The careers of Ken Holder, Harold Gregor and Harold Boyd exemplify this new voice and new place for artists, students and teachers from the hinterlands of the American Midwest. This program will contextualize these artists, the times in which they worked and their lasting impact.
Doug Johnson, Executive Director, McLean County Arts Center