Homecoming 2008 - Life Long Learning Opportunities
Saturday, 9:30 - 10:20
Never Too Late to Start: Fitness Program Basics – Kuyper Athletic Complex Rm. 226
John Roslien, Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Finding it hard to believe that you are back for a reunion, already! Not feeling as in shape as you were when you played in the Stagg Bowl? Want the energy and fit body you used to have in your college days? Whether it has been 5, 10 or 20 years since your last workout, it's never too late to start. Come and learn the basics of starting a fitness program to get you on the right track so you can look fantastic at the next reunion!
Plants that Blow your Mind – Vermeer Science Center Rm. 189
Paul Weihe, Associate Professor of Biology
Join Dr. Paul Weihe as we examine specimens of plants with psychoactive qualities. Why do these plants produce chemicals to alter our thoughts and perceptions? These species can be amusing, sacred, or deadly, depending on which plant, when and how harvested and prepared. Learn about these and other topics. Sorry, no free samples.
Asian Perspectives – Weller Center Rm. 101
Don & Maxine Huffman, professor emeritus of biology (Don) & professor emerita of English (Maxine)
Historical evidence discovered in recent years establishes that Chinese naval vessels had sailed to and mapped most coastal aspects of the N. and S. American continents, New Zealand, and Africa well before Western "discoverers" such as Columbus, Balboa, etc. and that these later discoverers had in their possession maps of the world, of Chinese derivation, many years before they left Europe. Chinese ships had gone to Venice and other ports as early as 1434, had given written documents to Italian authorities on astronomy and geography, including maps, navigational methods, many inventions [with illustrations] that were later credited to European scholars such as Da Vinci , and Copernicus, etc. The Chinese also introduced silk cloth, along with silk worms and techniques to produce silk, brought rice seed and growing techniques, irrigation techniques, etc. This information challenges our previous "Eurocentric" view of world discovery and the stimulus for the Western Renaissance which we have previously learned as a strictly European event.
More Wheat, Less Chaff: Tips for Faster and Easier Web Searching >– Weller Center Rm. 103
Natalie Hutchinson, Associate Professor Library Science/Direct Geisler Library
Beth McMahon, Assist Prof Library Science/Reference Instruction Librarian
Saturday 10:30 – 11:20
Is there any such thing as a fair voting method? - Vermeer Science Center Rm. 241
Mark Mills, Associate Professor of Mathematics
With this being an election year, it is worth considering whether our voting method for electing a president is really fair. Other countries and organizations use other methods for electing a leader. So is there a method that is truly fair? We will examine a number of different voting methods and some criteria that have been used to determine when a voting method is fair. The answer to the question that makes up the title of this session may surprise you!
The Slow Food Movement – Lubbers Building Rm. 19
Treva Reimer, Faculty Director, Cultural Affairs
What were those Italians thinking when they challenged McDonald's with pasta in Rome? The Slow Food movement's goal is to create dramatic and lasting change in the food system. Come learn about this International group which seeks to reconnect us with the people, traditions, plants, animals, fertile soils and waters that produce our food.
