WCC Announces Dates and Speakers for 2021-2022 Lecture Series

Each year, Wyoming Catholic College invites members of the wider academic community to the town of Lander—distinguished men and women who contribute complementary perspectives across a wide range of disciplines. This series is considered an essential part of the College’s curriculum, and attendance is mandatory for the entire student body. But it is more than simply a required element of our students’ education; it is also an opportunity to welcome members of the local community into the academic life of the College.

This year’s series will begin on Monday, October 11th, with a lecture from the Tate Geological Museum’s Educational Specialist, Mr. Russell Hawley. Mr. Hawley graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991 with a degree in fine art. His artwork has appeared in the America’s Smithsonian anniversary traveling exhibition, in “Islands in the Cosmos: The Evolution of Life on Land” by Dr. Dale A. Russell, in “Oceans of Kansas” by Michael Everhart, and several issues of Prehistoric Times magazine. Aside from his work at The Tate, Mr. Hawley also gives tours, writes articles for the museum newsletter, and produces illustrations for the museum displays.

November 19th will feature a presentation from the College’s own Dr. J. Scott Olsson, Associate Professor of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences here in Lander. Dr. Olsson received his Bachelor of Science in physics at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, before completing his doctoral studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, in applied mathematics. Prior to teaching at Wyoming Catholic College, Dr. Olsson was a senior research scientist at the Human Language Technology Center of Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. While Dr. Olsson primarily teaches mathematics and natural science at the college, he also helps with its unique Latin program.

Dr. Elizabeth Reyes will be the third visiting lecturer of the series on March 18th. After graduating from Thomas Aquinas College in 2003, Dr. Reyes received a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Dallas and earned her doctorate (with honors) at its Braniff Graduate School’s Institute of Philosophic Studies. Her dissertation was “Ishmael’s Cetological Quest: A Progression of Imagination in Melville’s Moby-Dick.” She has been a member of Thomas Aquinas College’s faculty since 2011.

The final event of the series will be an April 29th concert from pianist Teresa Walters. Described as “The International First Lady of Piano” by the New York Times, Ms. Walters has performed as recitalist and orchestral soloist on six continents and in most of the 50 United States at venues including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, Wigmore Hall in London, the Salle Cortot in Paris, Moscow’s Great Hall, Australia’s International Conservatorium and Jerusalem’s Concert Hall. She is known for her commitment to music as the ultimate universal language, and for her vision of music as ministry. She is equally at home in the world’s major concert halls or in campus and community settings where her popular “Keynote Comments” endear her to audiences.

The lectures will be held in the Lander Community and Convention Center (950 Buena Vista Drive) and the concert will be held in the Auditorium at the Lander Valley High School (350 Baldwin Creek Road). All four events will begin at 7:00PM, with a reception to follow, and all are open to the public. We hope to see you there!

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