University News
Hallwas to Present Inaugural Liberal Arts Lecture
September 3, 2003
John Hallwas. |
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MACOMB, IL -- Because of a variety of cultural forces, the future of the liberal arts is a matter of widespread national concern for many in higher education. Last year Western Illinois UniversityÂ’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) created a liberal arts discussion group as a way to express commitment to liberal arts education at Western and share approaches for maintaining a high quality educational program.
As an outgrowth of this group, a new lecture series focusing on the liberal arts was established. John Hallwas, WIU English professor and historian, will deliver the inaugural lecture, “The Liberal Arts, Civic Responsibility and Western’s Mission,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 in the Union Grand Ballroom.
According to John Simmons, philosophy and religious studies professor and discussion group member, the lecture is designed as an evening of thoughtful commentary on issues related to higher education.
“It is our intent for the event to become an annual tradition in which an outstanding WIU faculty member is selected as the lecturer,” Simmons said. “The lecture and reception have been created to stimulate campuswide discussion of not just what we do but why we do it and to insure that our programs and our teaching initiatives reflect our deepest purposes.”
Now in his 34th year at Western, Hallwas serves in both the department of English and journalism and the Library Archives. He also teaches in the Illinois Centennial Honors College at Western. The most widely published professor in WesternÂ’s history, he has written or edited more than 20 books in history and literature, several of which have won awards. He has also been a visiting professor or guest lecturer at other colleges and universities and has spoken to civic and cultural groups in more than 100 communities. Chosen as the Distinguished Faculty Lecturer at Western 20 years ago, Hallwas has also won several teaching awards.
HallwasÂ’ Sept. 16 lecture is open free to the public. A reception will immediately follow the lecture.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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