UNL Speakers Bureau in 16th year of 'free speech'

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Speakers Bureau is in its 16th year this fall with 22 speakers and several topics from which to choose. This free service connects faculty and other university experts with Nebraska citizens at service organizations, schools and other groups who want knowledgeable, interesting speakers on a variety of topics.

The 2010-11 Speakers Bureau roster features speakers available on a year-round basis as well as during the academic year only. This website, 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, contact Barbara Bowers, Speakers Bureau Coordinator, in the Office of University Communications, 202 Canfield Administration Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0424; by telephone at (402) 472-0088 or by e-mail.

The 2010-11 members of the Speakers Bureau and their topics:

Sylvana Airan, Assistant Director of Housing, Business Contracts and Student Services, "My Life Growing Up in Pakistan."

Patrice Berger, Professor of History and Director of University Honors Program, "Europe: 2010," "Europe: 1939" and "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," and "Magnetic Refrigeration."

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

Kenneth Dewey, Professor of Applied Climate Sciences, School of Natural Resources, "VORTEX2: The Largest Ever Storm Chase and Tornado Research Effort," "North to Alaska and Across the Canadian Arctic: A Photographic Journey" and "Exploring the Climate and Volcanoes of Hawaii-The Big Island."

Robert F. Diffendal Jr. , Professor Emeritus, Conservation and Survey, "More Non-Specialist's View of Native American Mound Builders Structures in the American Mid-Continent," "Some Changes in China: 1979-2010" and "Baja California del Sur: Watching Whales in the Ocean and Bays, Walking Along the Shores and the Inland Deserts."

Stephen Ducharme, Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience, "Nanoscale Science and Technology" and "Can a Photon Wave?"

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" and "Ancient Roman Religion and Nebraska Football."

Roger M. Hoy, Professor, Biological Systems Engineering, and Director, Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory, "The Nebraska Tractor Testing Lab: Past, Present and Future."

Meg Lauerman, Director, University Communications, "Research, Recruitment and the Big Ten Conference: An Overview of What's New at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln."

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

Patrice C. McMahon, Associate Professor, Political Science, "For Good or For Ill: The Return of Nation Building," "U.S. Power in the Networked Era" and "Partners in Peace: Nongovernmental Organizations in Peace Building."

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

Maureen Ose, Communications Coordinator, Textiles, Clothing and Design/International Quilt Studies Center and Museum, "3,500 Quilts and Counting: UNL's International Quilt Study Center and Museum" and "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 (DDR)?" and "Why is Agricultural Policy so Hard to Change?"

Paul E. Read, Professor, Horticulture and Viticulture, "Grape Expectations: Nebraska's Developing Grape and Wine Industry" and "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," and "Finding the Next Mozart! Music Composition Education in the 21st Century."

Kelli K. Smith, Assistant Director, Career Services, "Developing a Top Internship Program" and "How to Effectively Recruit College Students."

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

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

William G. Thomas, Professor, Department of History, "Railroads and the Making of Modern America," "Teaching with Technology: New Approaches to the Humanities Classroom" and "Thinking about the Civil War and Slavery in America."

WRITER: Barbara Bowers