UNL Speakers Bureau in 19th year of 'Free Speech'

            The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Speakers Bureau is in its 19th year with 24 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 2013-14 Speakers Bureau features speakers available on a year-round basis as well as during the academic year only. This website, http://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 Mitzi Lenz, Speakers Bureau coordinator in the Office of University Communications, 202 Canfield Administration Building, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0424; telephone 402-472-0088 or email speakers2@unl.edu.

            The members of the 2013-14 Speakers Bureau and their topics:

            Sylvana Airan, assistant director for business contracts and student services, University Housing- -- "My Life Growing Up in Pakistan."

            Christian Binek, associate professor of physics and astronomy -- "Magnetic Refrigeration," "Magnetic Thin Films: From Basic Research to Spintronics" and "Physics Between High School and High Tech."

            Charles Braithwaite, editor, Great Plains Quarterly, senior lecturer in communication studies -- "African Americans on the Great Plains," "The Global Classroom: Using New Communication Technology to Improve Education" and "Tribal Colleges: Culture and Higher Education on the Plains."

            Daniel Claes, professor of physics and astronomy -- "Comic Book Physics 101: Lesson 1: The Origin of Superman and Clues to the Planet Krypton, Lesson 2: Radiation -- Origins of the Hulk, the X-men, and the Fantastic 4, Lesson 3: The Flash (the Fastest Man Alive) and the 'SpeedForce,' Lesson 4: Physics Disassembled, Lesson 5: Hard Takeoffs and Soft Landings, Lesson 6: Solar Energy as the Source of Superpowers," "What the Heck is a Higgs Boson?!" "Are We Alone in the Universe?" and "What Happened to the Faster-than-Light Neutrinos?"

            Donald C. Costello, associate professor emeritus of computer science and engineering -- "The Bronx in the Middle of the Last Century," "Information Technology -- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," "Robotics: Status Today, Impact Tomorrow" and "Investment Versus Gambling in a Digital Economy."

            Kenneth Dewey, professor of applied climate sciences, School of Natural Resources -- "Chasing Icebergs," "North to Alaska and Across the Canadian Arctic: A Photographic Journey" and "The Nebraska Weather Photos Website."

            Robert F. Diffendal Jr., professor emeritus, conservation and survey -- "Pleasures and Perils of Owning Beach-Front Property," "Changes in China Since 1979" and "Geologic Development of Nebraska."

            Stephen Ducharme, professor and vice chair of physics and astronomy, Nebraska Center for Materials and Nano Science -- "Can a Photon Wave?" and "Nanoscale Science and Technology."

            Galen Erickson, professor, beef feedlot extension specialist -- "How Ethanol and Cattle are Good Together (i.e., Alcohol and Beef)" and "What is the Real Impact of Feedlots on the Environment?"

            Michael Hoff, professor of art history -- "Ancient Roman Religion and Nebraska Football," "Athens Under Roman Domination" and "Pirates and Romans Along the Cilician Coast of Ancient Turkey."

            Roger M. Hoy, professor of biological systems engineering, and director, Nebraska Tractor Testing Laboratory -- "The Nebraska Tractor Testing Lab: Past, Present and Future."

            Gary Kebbel, professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communications -- "How to Use Social Networking like Twitter or Facebook or Foursquare as Reporting Tools," "Reaching Youth: If it's Not on a Cell Phone, it Doesn't Exist" and "The Changing News Ecosystem."

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

            Bradley Lubben, extension assistant professor and policy specialist -- "Growing Agriculture to Meet Society's Demands" and "More Than Farm in the Farm Bill."

            Patrice C. McMahon, associate professor of 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."

            Tapan Pathak, extension educator for climate variability, School of Natural Resources -- "Current and Future Global Climate Change: What it Means for Nebraska?"

            Lisa Pennisi, assistant professor, School of Natural Resources -- "Why Nebraska is a Great Tourist Destination" and "The Benefits of Connecting Youth and Adults to Nature."

            Wes Peterson, professor of agricultural economics -- "A New Age of Colonialism? Land and Resource Deals in Low-Income Countries," "The 2012 Farm Bill: Prospects for Reform" and "The Implications of Increased Regional and Bilateral Trade Agreements for World Trade."

            Paul E. Read, professor of horticulture and viticulture -- "Gardens of the World" "Grape Expectations: Nebraska's Developing Grape and Wine Industry."

            John W. Richmond, professor and director, School of Music -- "Does Music Make You Smarter? It Depends on What You Mean!," "Finding the Next Mozart! Music Composition Education in the 21st Century" and "'Speaking the Universal Language' Without an Accent: UNL in Our Global Musical Village."

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

            Greg Snow, professor of physics and astronomy -- "Cosmic Rays from Outer Space-What Do We Know About Them?" "Did a Giant Asteroid Kill the Dinosaurs?" and "High Energy Physics and the Discovery of the 'God Particle.'"

            Sandra Stockall, professor emeritus, University of Nebraska Extension -- "You Are Who You Are Because" and "Wow, That Felt Great!"

            Joseph Weber, associate professor, College of Journalism and Mass Communications -- "Teaching Journalism in China: A Semester of Surprises."

Writer: Mitzi Lenz