The E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues 2024-25 season will explore the theme "Lessons from the Natural World." Faculty are invited to use the following events in fall 2024 courses as required or optional activities for students, or as a make-up or extra-credit opportunity. Most Thompson Forum events are free and open to the public and are livestreamed and recorded.
Amy Tan
Sept. 24 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Lied Center for Performing Arts
"A Conversation with Amy Tan" is the 29th Annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities, presented by Humanities Nebraska and moderated by Kwakiutl Dreher. Tan is the acclaimed author of "The Joy Luck Club," "The Kitchen God's Wife" and others, including 2024's illustrated nature journal "The Backyard Bird Chronicles," a #1 New York Times bestseller. Tickets are available online. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Oct. 17 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | Prairie Suite, Nebraska East Union
Oct. 18 | 3:30-5:00 p.m. | Pioneers Park Nature Center
"How to Fall Down into the Grass: Nature Journaling" is a generative workshop with poet and author of "World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, & Other Astonishments," Barnes and Noble's Book of the Year, and "Bite by Bite: Nourishments & Jamborees." The same workshop will be offered on both dates.
For spring 2025, save the date for two additional mainstage speakers: science journalist Ed Yong on Mar. 25 and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson on Apr. 22. Throughout the academic year, the Honors Program will also host Cooper Conversations and other special events related to the season theme.
For more information, to reserve tickets, to watch the livestream, or to access recorded lectures, visit the E.N. Thompson website.