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Great Conversations: Speaker Series

Now in its 21st year, Great Conversations has brought the scholarship of accomplished faculty in the College of Liberal Arts to the community through presentations and discussions around topics across the humanities, social sciences and visual and performing arts. The 2026-2027 series reflects the diversity and vibrancy in the College, and we invite you to join other engaged learners in exploring thought-provoking topics of significance to our community and beyond. As a limited-seating event, the setting of local homes and arts venues creates an engaging and intimate setting for lively discussion.

Annual subscriptions are $1,200 and include two fully transferable tickets to all four events, hors d’oeuvres, drinks and stimulating conversation. Funds raised from the Great Conversations series are used to provide unrestricted support to the College of Liberal Arts. Fifty percent of the subscription registration price is considered a tax-deductible donation.

Featured speakers

cameron strong headshot

What Was the American Revolution Really About? History and Myth 250 Years Later

Speaker: Cameron Strong, Associate Professor of History
Date: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026
Hosted by: Robin and Steven Welch

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, making it an opportune moment to compare popular notions about the origins of the United States with perspectives based in historical scholarship. This is not just about understanding the past: politicians and activists of all stripes invoke the Revolution to justify their actions in the present and visions for the future, so it is vital to be able to differentiate myth, opinion and history. The presentation will center on telling a dynamic narrative of the ideologies and events that led to the American Revolution.
ian hartshorn headshot

Trade and Aid When Institutions Fade: Can We Change Anything Through Trade or Tariffs?

Speaker: Ian Hartshorn, Associate Professor of Political Science
Date: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
Hosted by: Chris Galli

For over 70 years, U.S. trade policy promoted international economic integration despite uneven outcomes. This talk examines what trade seeks to achieve in practice by comparing Mexico and Jordan, two U.S. allies whose trade agreements aimed beyond economic growth. It asks whether trade builds skills, peace, or shapes migration, and analyzes the growing reliance across administrations on trade and restrictions amid weakening global rules, drawing on Dr. Hartshorn’s research with workers in Mexico’s Bajio and Jordan’s Amman.
hugh shapiro headshot

Five Key Words for Understanding China in 2026

Speaker: Hugh Shapiro, Associate Professor of History
Date: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2027
Hosted by: Meagan and Justin Noin

“Involution” (nèiju¨£n ƒÈ¾í), defined as intensifying competition without meaningful progress, has emerged as a defining term in contemporary China, capturing widespread perceptions of relentless effort with diminishing returns. This talk examines five key concepts shaping China today, considered from the perspectives of everyday citizens and political leadership. Through these terms, it explores central tensions in Chinese society, including advances in renewable energy alongside heavy reliance on coal, military strength amid internal purges and world?class infrastructure combined with strict information control.
rebekah bogard headshot

Seeing Between the Lines: Art, Play and the Imagination

Speaker: Rebekah Bogard, Associate Professor of Art
Date: Thursday, April 1, 2027
Hosted by: Darrell Lockhart

In this talk, visual artist and educator Rebekah Bogard examines the nature of artistic practice by tracing how play, perception, and intuition shape creative decision?making. Through stories and imagery, she demystifies the artistic process for a general audience, reflecting on how ideas move from observation to material form, from small gestures on paper to immersive environmental works. The talk frames creativity not as a rare skill, but as a human mode of attention, patience, and openness cultivated through everyday experience.

Register for Great Conversations

Annual subscriptions are $1,200 and include two fully transferable tickets to all four events, hors d¡¯oeuvres, drinks and stimulating conversation. Funds raised from the Great Conversations series are used to provide unrestricted support to the College of Liberal Arts. Fifty percent of the subscription registration price is considered a tax-deductible donation.