Distinguished Lecture Series

Fall 2008 Semester

All lectures -- free and open to the public -- are at 12 noon in the CM Building on the West Windsor campus. For further information, call (609) 570-3324.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - room CM107
THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION   [details]
Executive Director of the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS), John Cusack, will describe how adopting environmental sustainability practices and principles can help our campus to be successful in the 21st Century. These practices will provide a competitive advantage to both MCCC and its students if they learn how to integrate sustainability into their personal life, business, government and community. NJHEPS is a consortium of 47 New Jersey colleges and universities that encourage and facilitate the practice of environmental sustainability concepts in higher education.
Recommended by: Professor Laura Blinderman, Department of Biology

Tuesday, October 7, 2008 - room CM107
HOMELAND SECURITY MATTERS IN NEW JERSEY   [details]
In March 2006, Governor Corzine issued an executive order creating the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) as a cabinet-level agency for the State of New Jersey. Richard L. Cañas, a career law enforcement and counter-terrorism expert, was appointed Director of this new agency. The mission of the OHSP is to coordinate, lead and supervise New Jersey's counter-terrorism and preparedness efforts across all levels of government, law enforcement, emergency management, and the private sector to protect the people of New Jersey. Director Cañas will discuss the role of the OHSP in the state's homeland security and emergency preparedness efforts; federal funding for homeland security; school and campus security; the role of the private sector; and promoting volunteerism and public awareness.
Recommended by: Professor Peter Horne, Department of Criminal Justice

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - room CM107
EAKINS AND MANET   [details]
American painter Thomas Eakins (1844-1916) and French painter Edouard Manet (1832-1883) were two of the greatest painters of the 19th century. They are united in that they were both influenced by 17th century Spanish painter Diego Velázquez (1599-1660). However, they responded to Velázquez's influence in entirely different ways. Professor Leipzig, MCCC professor of Art and Art History, will discuss and provide examples of these differences in his lecture and slide presentation.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - room CM107
LEARNING FROM BOB & DENISE
THE ARCHITECTURE AND IDEAS OF VENTURI AND SCOTT BROWN
Learning From Bob & Denise is an upcoming feature-length documentary exploring the complex and contradictory world of the architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown. Their son, James Venturi, a documentary filmmaker, directed and produced this film in hopes that the audience will gain an understanding of his parents' multilayered approach, relevant to both architects and non-architects alike. These architects are considered among the most influential designers of the 20th century. Mr. Venturi will discuss the process of creating this film from his very unique perspective as both a filmmaker and a child of two very extraordinary people. Alternately vilified and idolized many times over in the course of their careers, theirs is a story that is part biography, part art history and part sociological survey of the past half century.
Recommended by: Professor Mel Leipzig, Department of Art

Thursday, December 4 - room CM109
RATTLESNAKES AND MILITARY OPERATIONS: FRIENDS OR FOES?
The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a state-endangered species which occurs as a disjunct population in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey. The Warren Grove Gunnery Range is located in the heart of the Pinelands in Burlington County, NJ. Ron Smith, Assistant Professor of Biology at Mercer County Community College, will describe his research involving radio tracking timber rattlesnakes at the military installation to investigate the possible impacts of military operations on this endangered species. He will discuss risk factors the timber rattlesnake is facing throughout its range and the conservation strategies that are needed to save the species.
Recommended by: Professor Michael Dorneman, Department of Biology