Fall 2023 University Forum Series at USM Begins Sept. 12
Thu, 08/17/2023 - 11:25am | By: David Tisdale
The guest speakers for this fall’s University Forum series at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) are equal parts passionate and fearless in the work of their callings, whether in the fields of science or politics.
Dr. Jamil Zaki, a noted Stanford psychology professor who writes about the need for more empathy; Adam Kinzinger, one of only two Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives to serve on its Jan. 6 Committee investigating the U.S. Capitol riot in 2021; and Dr. Jay Hakes, an energy policy expert with a long record of service in federal and state government, will be the presenters for this fall’s forum events, with this year’s series aptly titled “Dare to Disagree.”
Fall 2023 Forum events will take place at Bennett Auditorium on the USM Hattiesburg Campus, except for Dr. Hakes’ presentation, which will be held at the Fleming Education Center on the university’s Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach and live streamed at Bennett Auditorium.
“This year’s University Forum reminds us that the personal is always political,” said Dr. Andrew Haley, director of University Forum and a professor of history. “Whether scientist or politician, each presenter draws on their experience to confront new challenges, both individual and global.
“As University Forum nears its 50th anniversary of bringing provocative speakers to Southern Miss, we invite followers of our programming to join us in conversations certain to challenge how you see yourself and the world.”
The program schedule is as follows:
*Dr. Jamil Zaki, “The War for Kindness” - Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m., Bennett
Auditorium: Dr. Zaki is director of Stanford University’s Social Neuroscience Laboratory
and a collaborating scientist with its Center for Compassion and Altruism Research
and Education; his talk at USM is co-sponsored by the USM Luckyday Scholars Program.
*Adam Kinzinger, “An Evening with Adam Kinzinger” - Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.,
Bennett Auditorium: Kinzinger, an active member of the Air National Guard who served
missions as a pilot in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts, left the House of Representatives
after serving six terms following his service on its Jan. 6 Committee. His visit to
USM comes on the eve of the release of his autobiography, My Life in Faith, the Military, and Defending America from Trump's Attack on Democracy.
*Dr. Jay Hakes, “Biggest Resilience Challenge: Twenty-Year Strategy on Climate Change”
- Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m., Fleming Education Center, Gulf Park Campus (and livestreamed
to Bennett Auditorium in Hattiesburg): Dr. Hakes was administrator of the U.S. Energy
Information Administration and director for research and policy for President Obama’s
BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Commission. He also served for 13 years as director
of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.
University Forum is presented by the Office of the President and the USM Honors College. Learn more about University Forum.