Spotlight
Fifteenth Bonner and Bonner lecturer reflects current events
As a place of learning, a
university is perfectly
positioned to impart dialogue
on our society’s cultural
heritage. Thus the subject
of the 2007 Bonner and
Bonner lecture is a timely
topic. Vali R. Nasr, an expert
on contemporary Middle
Eastern affairs, will deliver
the 15th annual installment of
the premier diversity series
lecture in Kansas, at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 13 in ESU’s Albert Taylor Hall.
Nasr, the adjunct senior fellow for Middle Eastern
studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan
foreign policy think tank, is a specialist in the
Muslim world with a focus on the relation of religion
to politics, violence and democratization. His speech
is titled “The Shai Revival: How Conflicts with Islam
will Shape the Future.” Nasr regularly briefs top U.S.
officials on Middle East issues and appears in national
media.
The lecture series was established in 1992 at ESU
to recognize the university’s commitment to diversity.
It is named after Thomas and Mary Winstead Bonner,
the university’s first and second African-American
faculty members. Past speakers of note include author
Cristina Garcia, NAACP chairman Julian Bond,
Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills and civil rights
lawyer Morris Dees.
Last Updated April 17, 2008