UNL Speakers Bureau in 15th year of 'free speech'

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Speakers Bureau begins its 15th year this fall with 19 speakers and several topics from which to choose. This free service connects faculty and other university experts with Nebraska citizens through service organizations, schools, and other groups who want knowledgeable, interesting speakers on a variety of topics.

The 2009-10 Speakers Bureau features speakers available year-round or during the academic year only. The bureau's Web site, www.speakersbureau.unl.edu, provides access to each speaker's topic information with a form to submit to book a speaker for your event. For questions, please contact Barbara Bowers, speakers bureau coordinator, in the Office of University Communications, 202 Canfield Administration Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0424; (402) 472-0088 or speakers2@unl.edu.

The 2009-2010 members of the Speakers Bureau and their topics:

* Dee Aguilar, Coordinator, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, "Lifelong Learning: Your Brain or Mine?" "Play: A Lifelong Ambition." "Humor: What's So Funny?"

* Patrice Berger, Professor of History and Director of University Honors Program, "Europe: 2009," "Europe: 1939," "University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 21st Century."

* Christian Binek, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy, "Physics Between High School and High Tech," "Magnetic Thin Films: From Basic Research to Spintronics," "Magnetic Refrigeration."

* Don Costello, Lecturer, Computer Science and Engineering, "Information Technology -- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," "Computer Games," "The Birth, Death and Resurrection of Computers in Banking."

* Ken Dewey, Professor of Applied Climate Sciences, School of Natural Resources, "Across the Arctic and Down to Hawaii in Search of Global Warming Impacts," "Storm Chasing with the Nebraska Vortex Intercept Team," "North to Alaska and Across the Canadian Arctic: A Photographic Journey."

* Bob Diffendal, Professor Emeritus, Conservation and Survey, "Geologic Development of the Ogallala/High Plains Aquifer System in Nebraska," "A Non-Specialist's View of Native American Mound Builders Structures in the American Mid-Continent," "Views of the Southern Parts of the Colorado Plateau-National Parks, National Monuments and State Parks."

* James Goeke, Research Hydrogeologist, School of Natural Resources, "Nebraska's Water Resources: Past, Present, and Future."

* Michael Hoff, Professor of Art History, "Pirates and Roman: Cities of the Cilician Coast of Ancient Turkey," "Athens Under Roman Domination," "Ancient Roman Religion and Nebraska Football."

* Roger Hoy, Nebraska Tractor Testing Lab, "The Nebraska Tractor Testing Lab: Past, Present and Future."

* Peter Levitov, UNL International Affairs and Immigration Attorney, NU Central Administration. "International Students in the United States."

* Nancy Mitchell, Director, General Education Office of Undergraduate Studies, and Professor of Advertising, "What Nebraska Students Need to Know in the 21st Century."

* Maureen Ose, Communications Coordinator, Textiles, Clothing and Design/International Quilt Study Center and Museum, "3,000 Quilts and Counting: UNL's International Quilt Study Center and Museum," "Reading the Quilt: Stories Told in Textiles from the Era of the Civil War."

* Wes Peterson, Professor, Agricultural Economics, "The Idea of Poverty," "What's Up With the Doha Development Round?" "Why is Agricultural Policy so Hard to Change?"

* Paul Read, Professor, Horticulture and Viticulture, "Grape Expectations: Nebraska's Developing Grape and Wine Industry," "Gardens of the World."

* John W. Richmond, Professor and Director of the UNL School of Music, "Does Music Make You Smarter? It Depends on What You Mean!" "Thinking About Common Dimensions of Aesthetic and Religious Experience," "Finding the Next Mozart! Music Composition Education in the 21st Century."

* John Rupnow, Professor, Food Science and Technology, "History and Agents of Agroterrorism," "It Must Have Been Something I Ate: Issues in Food Safety," "Guru or Gourmet: The Science of Food."

* Greg Snow, Assistant Dean for Research, College of Arts and Sciences, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy, "Did a Giant Asteroid Kill the Dinosaurs?" "E=mc2: The Most Famous Scientific Formula."

* Sandra Stockall, Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska Extension, "Wow, That Felt Great!" "Communication is a Contact Sport."

* Chris Timm, Associate Director, Career Services, "Developing a Top Internship Program," "Using the Web to Effectively Recruit College Students."