Speaker Series Promotes Voices for Change


Marylhurst University’s series of talks shed light on pressing social issues.

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 Meaningful conversations led by expert facilitators on today’s issues of social justice – that’s what the 2017-18 Marylhurst Speaker Series promises. This year’s topics include power and privilege, higher education reform, world hunger, and more.“This year, we’re creating opportunities for our community to hear and be voices for change,” said Dr. Sean Gillon, chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary and Applied Liberal Arts at Marylhurst University. “We’ll explore how the application of a liberal arts education to the world results in real change,” he added.

All talks are FREE and open to the public. For more details, visit events.marylhurst.edu.

Wednesday, December 6 @ 6:30 p.m.
From Saving to Serving
The Old Library (BP John 200), Marylhurst University
Join Oregon Humanities Executive Director Adam Davis for a conversation that will explore why it’s so hard to find the right words for the good work we try to do in the world. How should we think and talk about our efforts to make positive change?

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Thursday, February 15 @ 6:30 p.m.
Power, Privilege, and Racial Diversity in Oregon
The Old Library (BP John 200), Marylhurst University
Willamette University professor Emily Drew will lead participants in a conversation that explores the differences of experience between Oregonians of different races—such as institutional racism, white privilege, and unconscious bias.

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Thursday, March 8 @ 6:30 p.m.
Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange:How to Think like a Critical Geographer
The Old Library (BP John 200), Marylhurst University
Dr. Kacy McKinney is an interdisciplinary feminist educator and scholar trained in critical human geography. Her interests range from the uses of comics and graphic novels in social science research and teaching in the liberal arts, to the politics of genetically modified organisms, and the study of child labor in agriculture. Her research has been based in India and Brazil.

kacy mckinney

Thursday, April 19 @ 6:30 p.m.
Does Higher Education Matter?
Flavia Salon, Marylhurst University
Higher education is considered essential for individuals seeking employment opportunities, social and cultural advancement, and a more secure financial future. But in the current cycles of escalating tuition costs, ballooning student loan debt, and a crumbling secondary education infrastructure in Oregon, we have an increasing need to examine the purposefulness and meaningfulness of higher education in our day-to-day lives. Join educator and activist Paul Susi in a discussion that will examine our assumptions and values around education and its impact on our lives.

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Thursday, May 17 @ 6:30 p.m.
Big Hunger: The Unholy Alliance between Corporate America and Anti-Hunger Groups
Flavia Salon, Marylhurst University
In Big Hunger, author Andrew Fisher argues that many key anti-hunger advocates are missing an essential element of the problem: economic inequality driven by low wages. His research finds that efforts to end hunger, reduce obesity, and reform farm subsidies are compromised by corporate interests.
The Marylhurst Speaker Series is hosted by Marylhurst University’s Department of Interdisciplinary and Applied Liberal Arts. Select talks are made possible by the generous support of Oregon Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Oregon Cultural Trust.

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Founded in 1893, Marylhurst University is a premier, not-for-profit, professionally focused liberal arts and business university. Marylhurst’s community of scholars, professionals and artists offers exceptional master’s degrees, bachelor’s degree completion programs, courses, continuing education and impressive arts, music and cultural events.