Convocation Series
Thursday, September 3, 2009, 8 p.m.
Amory Lovins
Profitable Solutions to Climate, Oil, and Proliferation
“Public discourse about climate change has resulted in the erroneous idea that it’s all about cost, burden, and sacrifice.”
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 8 p.m.
Ed Helms
“College made me realize that I have no patience for arrogant, dogmatic people and that I must therefore devote my life to undermining and satirizing those people.”
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 8 p.m.
Junot Díaz
“You really want to know what being an X-Man feels like? Just be a smart bookish boy of color in a contemporary U.S. ghetto. Mamma mia! Like having bat wings or a pair of tentacles growing out of your chest.”
Sunday, October 4, 2009, 4 p.m.
Sherrod Brown
“Most of America recognizes that health care reform is not just a moral imperative, it’s become an economic imperative. There’s no way to fix our economy without fixing our health care system.”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 8 p.m.
Shirin Ebadi
Shirin Ebadi is a lawyer, human rights activist, and the recipient of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her work defending women and children’s rights in Iran, and advocating an interpretation of Islam which is compatible with democracy and human rights.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
“… the spiritual and musical energy was palpable among the sold-out crowd.”
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 8 p.m.
Robert Kuttner
Barack Obama: A Transformative President?
“Barack Obama … will be a great president — or a failed one.”
Thursday, March 11, 2010, 8 p.m.
Greg Mankiw
A discussion of economic policy with Professor Greg Mankiw
“Inequality in economic resources is a natural but not altogether attractive feature of a free society.”
Thursday, April 8, 2010, 8 p.m.
Robert Sapolsky
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers: Stress, Disease and Coping
“How many hippos worry about whether Social Security is going to last as long as they will, or what they are going to say on a first date? Viewed from the perspective of the evolution of the animal kingdom, sustained psychological stress is a recent invention.”
About the Oberlin Convocation Series
The Oberlin Convocation Series, presented under the auspices of the Finney Lecture Committee and the Office of the President, presents free, public discussions of cutting-edge issues by some of the country’s most prominent thinkers. These talks are open to the public and take place in Finney Chapel. All lectures begin at 8 p.m. For additional information, please contact the Office of Public Programs at 440.775.6785.