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New Lecture Series Features Faculty

This originally appeared in the Haslam Scholars Program Spring Newsletter. To download the entire newsletter, please click here.

By: Louis Varriano, Senior, Physics

The Haslam Scholars Program began its Friday Faculty lecture series in fall 2014 in addition to its existing Global Awareness Series. In one of the first lectures of the year, Dr. Paul Armsworth from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in- spired the scholars in attendance to use their technical education to change social situations and those in need—a strategy of “pointy heads and soft hearts,” as he put it.

Continuing with the theme of social responsibility, Knoxville Public Defender Mark Stephens spoke about the often-unjust application of the law to people of lower socioeconomic status in Knoxville. Other topics included the prospects of finding life on Mars, agricultural technology, and how UT supports Tennessee farmers as part of its mission as a land-grant institution.

The Global Awareness series continued to expand scholars’ minds and world perspectives with in-depth understanding of other coun- tries and cultures. Both series were important as part of the scholars’ educa- tion and shared experience. The lectures often served as a springboard for other discussions and allowed scholars to get a glimpse of disciplines outside their own majors and research. The two series were resounding successes this year, and all of the scholars are looking forward to next year and even more interesting topics.