Eastern announces spring 2025 University Hour events
Lecture series is open to the public
Willimantic, CT (02/05/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University recently announced its lineup of University Hour events for spring 2025. These special lectures occur weekly from 3 to 4 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
The University Hour series provides a platform for community dialogue featuring expert speakers, panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed at fostering knowledge and reflection on a range of important issues. This semester's series ranges in subject matter from financial literacy to climate justice.
February 5, 2025: Scott Tarulli Talks About the Music Industry
Location: FAIC 110
Jazz guitarist Scott Tarulli will share his experiences as a professional musician and offer advice to students interested in music careers. The discussion will cover performance-related careers as well as opportunities in the music industry.
February 12, 2025: CT Data: Data Science for Connecticut
Location: Student Center Theatre
Representatives from CT Data will discuss how data science is driving informed decision-making in Connecticut, particularly in nonprofit organizations, state agencies and businesses. This talk will highlight how data can help achieve more equitable outcomes in the state.
February 19, 2025: 'The College Tour' Premier
Location: FAIC Concert Hall
Join us for the exclusive premiere of Eastern's episode of the Amazon Prime series "The College Tour." The 30-minute episode showcases inspiring stories from current students and alumni. Afterwards there will be a Q&A session with the student cast.
February 26, 2025: The Undocumented Archipelago: Groundwork for the Creation of a Cultural Field
Location: Student Center Theatre
Glorimarie Pena Alicea of Eastern's Department of World Languages and Cultures will explore the experiences of undocumented Salvadoran and Dominican migrants to the U.S. through literary and visual representations. This lecture challenges traditional views on undocumented migration and proposes new ways of understanding migration through culture.
March 5, 2025: The Benefits of Practicing Philosophy with Children
Location: Student Center Theatre
Philosopher and ethicist Ariel Sykes will discuss the growing movement to introduce philosophical inquiry to children. She will share insights from over 15 years of facilitating philosophical dialogues with children, highlighting the cognitive and social benefits of these practices.
March 12, 2025: Johnnycake Center of Westerly: Building a Sustainable Future for Community and With Community
Location: Student Center Theatre
Meredith Bogue from the Johnnycake Center of Westerly will present on sustainable practices in community building. The center's efforts in waste reduction, upcycling and addressing climate change through educational programming and community engagement will be highlighted.
March 26, 2025: Climate Conversations: Climate Action and Environmental Justice: Latine Communities in CT
Location: Student Center Theatre
Alex Rodriguez of the CT Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council will discuss his work in community organizing for climate action, focusing on the role of Latine communities in Connecticut. He will provide insights on the state's legislative priorities and the intersection of climate action and environmental justice.
April 2, 2025: Defending Liberal Arts in the STEM Age-A University Testimony
Location: Student Center Theatre
A community testimony will explore the future of higher education, the importance of liberal arts and how Eastern Connecticut State University is adapting to the shift towards STEM-focused education. The event will invite input from students, faculty and staff.
April 9, 2025: Harm Reduction: Its Principles and Practice in Eastern Connecticut
Location: Student Center Theatre
Local community leaders will discuss harm reduction practices and their impact on social justice, particularly in the context of drug use. Moderated by social work professor and harm-reduction expert Megan Stanton, the panel discussion builds on prior conversations surrounding the opioid epidemic and continues to address critical community needs.
###
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
Media Attachments
