Search For Lectures

Wilhelm's Way: The Inspiring Story of the ISU Chemist Who Saved the Manhattan Project
6:00 PM – Sun Room, Memorial Union - In February 1942, while the first American troops arrived in Europe and others found themselves engaged in desperate combat against Japanese invasion forces during the Battle of Bataan, Dr. Harley Wilhelm, a chemist at Iowa State, was recruited by his boss, Dr. Frank Spedding, to solve the problem of how to produce uranium for the Manhattan Project. The challenges were immense, the obstacles great, yet Wilhelm and his small, ragtag team of scientists and technicians persevered, producing tons of pure uranium placed at the core of the world’s first controlled nuclear chain reaction. Following that history-making event in December 1942, the Iowa State team produced millions more pounds of uranium for the atomic bombs that, ultimately, brought about the end to World War II. Independent scholar Teresa Wilhelm Waldof is the world’s leading expert on the Ames Project section of the Manhattan Project and the granddaughter of Dr. Harley Wilhelm, co-founder of the Ames Laboratory on the Iowa State University campus. Her first book, Wilhelm’s Way: The Inspiring Story of the Iowa Chemist Who Saved the Manhattan Project, recounts the extraordinary life of Dr. Wilhelm, a sharecropper’s son who rose to prominence in the fields of chemistry and metallurgy and was recognized for his inventive mind, but loved for his humble nature. Ms. Waldof holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. A business executive with over 30 years of management experience, her VACIP© and DRIP© methodologies help companies create efficiencies, reduce costs, and increase profits. She currently serves as the Director of Sales and Field Operations for SageGlass Saint Gobain. Her speaking topics include the Ames Project and Wilhelm’s contributions to science as well as problem-solving practices to improve business results.

The Search for the Fountain of Youth
7:00 PM – Online - WebEx Link: https://bit.ly/3efrSwx Aging is the leading risk factor associated with diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, and frailty. In the U.S. it is estimated that more than 60% of people over the age of 65 suffer from hypertension, roughly 40% are obese, 21% are in fair or poor health, and 7% need personal daily care. The shifting demographics in the U.S. towards an aging population is predicted to increase medical, economic and social burdens on society due to their increased care needs. Research in geriatric sciences has therefore recently shifted its focus from centering on human longevity to improving human health span and quality of life. The common marmoset, a small nonhuman primate, offers a number of advantages for aging and healthspan research. They have a fast maturation and short life span compared with more commonly used larger nonhuman primate models. Marmosets can be rapidly bred, and they can be maintained in a barrier environment. The development of the model over the last decade has resulted in functional phenotyping relevant to aging, such as metabolic health, homeostatic functioning, immune health, mobility, and cognition. These characterizations now all us to evaluate potential interventions that may modulate the aging process. The hope is that these investigations may reveal the fountain of youth that explorers and scientists have been searching for. Dr. Corinna Ross earned her degrees in biological sciences from Cornell University (BS 1997), the University of Nebraska Omaha (MA 1999) and the University of Nebraska Lincoln (PhD 2005). After completing her PhD, she became a postdoctoral Biology of Aging fellow at UT Health San Antonio. She is currently the Associate Director for Research at the Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Her research focuses on marmosets, and has covered translational modeling topics such as developmental programming, reproductive physiology and the development of obesity. Her research is currently focused on exploring interventions that may protect health while aging.

What Is Latinx? and Who Is Latinx?
6:00 PM – Great Hall, Memorial Union - This event will be in person, live streamed, and recorded. The live stream link: https://iastate.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=eac78ea1-751e-4157-9a71-ae2f01616402 The recording will be posted on the Lectures website at Recordings > Available Recordings for two weeks. The categories of race, gender, and sexuality continue to be the site of analysis for many higher education researchers, effectively filling the void of intersectional approaches to student development and learning theory. Yet, we still struggle with terminology that honors Latinx/a/o students’ identities, let alone their intersections with systems of oppression. This presentation will engage in a dialogue about the importance of Latinx/a/o/* students’ identities and labels that have been (mis)used, (mis)interpreted, and have not been fully examined. The goal is to illuminate how the politics of naming social identities can perpetuate structures of power, and work toward transforming higher education through critical naming processes. Cristobal Salinas Jr., Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Educational Leadership and Research Methodology Department at Florida Atlantic University. His research promotes access and equality in higher education and explores the social and political context of education opportunities for historically marginalized communities. Dr. Salinas is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief for the Journal Committed to Social Change on Race and Ethnicity. He has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles, over 27 book chapters, and co-edited 5 books and has received over 26 international and national awards for his commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. His research has been featured in CNN, CNN Español, NBC News, NPR, Telemundo, and Good Morning America. Dr. Salinas, a 2005 graduate of Schuyler Central High School, received his Master of Education degree in student affairs from Iowa State in 2012 and doctoral degree in higher education administration from Iowa State in 2015

Muslims of the Heartland
5:30 PM – 114 Student Innovation Center - The American Midwest is often thought of as uniformly white, and shaped exclusively by Christian values. However, this view of the region as an unvarying landscape fails to consider a significant community at its very heart. Muslims of the Heartland uncovers the long history of Muslims in a part of the country where many readers would not expect to find them--including in Iowa, the home of the first purpose-built mosque in the United States. Edward E. Curtis IV is William M. and Gail M. Plater Chair of the Liberal Arts and Professor of Religious Studies at the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. Dr. Curtis is a publicly-engaged scholar of Muslim American, African American, and Arab American history and life. He is the recipient of fellowships and grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Fulbright Scholar Program, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the American Academy of Religion, and the National Humanities Center. He has written 13 books.

Hip Hop 101: The History of Hip Hop Culture and its Impact on Our World
7:00 PM – Great Hall, Memorial Union - This event will be in person and live streamed. It will NOT be recorded. The live stream link: https://iastate.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=70d7e367-dcb0-445e-bbc6-ae2f01627c55 The Reminders, a husband-wife hip hop duo, consists of Brussels, Belgium-born Big Samir and Queens, New York-born emcees and vocalist Aja Black. Releasing their debut album Recollect in 2008, the Reminders have been recognized and applauded for their work internationally through concerts, tours, music awards, TV and radio appearances, and their incredible and dedicated fan base. Having shared the stage with artists such as Les Nubians, Snoop Dogg, Fishbone, Barrington Levy, Nas, Mos Def, Big Boi, KRS-One, Rakim, K'Naan, and others, the Reminders haveestablished a firm place in today's ever-evolving music scene, garnering international acclaim while paving a path all their own. In this combo presentation and performance, Samir and Aja will guide attendees through the history of hip hop and its incredible influence in culture.

Now That's Magic: How Black Women Have Shaped History Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
7:30 PM – Great Hall, Memorial Union - All too often in the telling of American history is the absence of the role black women have had in shaping it! In Jessica Lundy’s newest signature program, she explores the origins of what we have come to know as “black girl magic” and shows what we can do to apply that magic to shape the future. From Madam C.J. Walker to Oprah, from Rihanna to Simone Biles, black women have achieved greatness despite, maybe even because of, overcoming tremendous obstacles. Their stories and legacies provide the blueprint for today, a blueprint for perseverance and overcoming challenges, and how to harness the magic to achieve your greatest dreams. In this inspiring program, Jessica will share not only how each of these women have impacted her and propelled her journey, but also distill the essential elements of each for audience members to use in their endeavors. This program is tailored specifically for Black History Month and Women’s History Month programming. As a personal development coach for over a decade, Jessica Lundy has taught students winning strategies to be successful in every area of their lives. From winning her dream job after competing with over 1,200 people to be a television host in a significant market to winning her honeymoon in beautiful Cancun, Mexico; Jessica is ready to teach your students how to gain more clarity, supportive relationships, achievements, overall happiness, and success. When she’s not speaking or coaching, you can find Jessica traveling the world and watching the latest comedy special on Netflix with her husband.

Running in Silence: Disordered Thoughts About Food and Exercise
6:00 PM – Sun Room, Memorial Union - This event will be in person, live streamed, and recorded. The live stream link: https://iastate.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=aaf52491-1253-49b3-920d-ae2f0160265a The recording will be posted on the Lectures website at Recordings > Available Recordings for two weeks. December 16, 2012, was the day Rachael Steil stopped running in silence. It was the day she wrote her first blog post about dealing with anorexia and binge eating as an All-American runner and shared it with the world. Writing her truth invited others to share their eating disorder experiences. Rachael began to see how many athletes dealt with these issues behind closed doors–in secrecy and in shame–and it made her feel less alone. It also fueled the fire to speak louder about eating disorder experiences. Rachael speaks about how to break the wall of silence and shame that surround eating disorders.

Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars
7:00 PM – Sun Room, Memorial Union - 2022 Engineers' Week Keynote This event will be in person, live streamed, and recorded. The live stream link: https://iastate.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6edca7ad-e468-4062-8ba4-ae19016e9fa9 The recording will be posted on the Lectures website at Recordings > Available Recordings for two weeks. NASA astronaut Eileen Collins reveals encouraging perspective and insight on the leadership skills needed to break barriers and become a successful pioneer in your field. One of America’s most admired women, Col. Collins became the first female to pilot a U.S. spacecraft with the Discovery shuttle flight in 1995, and the first female commander on the 1999 Columbia shuttle flight. In 2005, NASA tapped Col. Collins to command the space shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight” mission, NASA’s first piloted flight following the loss of space shuttle Columbia in 2003. While logging 872 hours in space, Col. Collins earned a reputation for coolness under pressure. With that same calm demeanor, she shares how her career as an astronaut took shape, from her early years in the U.S. Air Force to her ground-breaking experience with NASA. Her memoir, Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars, was published in 2021. The University Book Store will be on site selling copies of Col. Collins' books, and she will do a book signing.

Electing Madam Vice President: When Women Run Women Win
5:30 PM – WebEx - WebEx Link: https://bit.ly/3stmLBg Dr. Nichola Gutgold has been researching and writing about women and the United States presidency for more than 20 years. In her new book, “Electing Madam Vice President: When Women Run Women Win,” she focuses on the communication style and campaign rhetoric of the six women who ran for president in 2020-the largest group of women candidates in one election--and the eventual election of Kamala Harris to the vice presidency, a history-making appointment. Dr. Gutgold is a professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State Lehigh Valley and a Fulbright Specialist. She is author or co-author of more than ten books and numerous research articles and has turned two of her research books into children’s books to encourage young people to reach their dreams. Her research has appeared in national and international publications, including the New York Times and NPR. She is a recipient of numerous teaching awards, including the University-wide Penn State Fellows Award. This event will be recorded. The recording will be posted on the Lectures website at Recordings > Available Recordings for two weeks.

Facing the Realities of Our World--and Surviving to Tell About It
6:00 PM – WebEx - WebEx Link: https://bit.ly/3GgdYpC Artist Chris Jordan is known for his hard-hitting photographs that confront with shocking directness the dark side of our mass culture. Having explored this territory for more than 20 years, Jordan emerges now with a powerful new message that turns environmentalism upside down. Chris Jordan is a photographic artist, filmmaker, cultural activist, and art educator whose work explores the collective shadow of contemporary mass culture from a variety of photographic and conceptual perspectives. Edge-walking the lines between beauty and horror, abstraction and representation, the near and the far, the visible and the invisible, Jordan’s images confront the enormous power of humanity’s collective will. His works are exhibited and published worldwide.