Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series, Exploring Historical Roots of Present-Day Crises in Higher Education, Launches Sept. 24

The UMass Amherst Department of History and partners will kick off its yearlong 2024-25 Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series themed, "What Are Universities For? Struggles for the Soul of Higher Education," with a keynote address from Davarian L. Baldwin, Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies Trinity College, at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24. <_o3a_p>

The Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series is offered every other academic year by the UMass Amherst History Department thanks to the generosity of Kenneth R. Feinberg '67 and associates. Each iteration of the series focuses on a "big issue" of clear and compelling concern, grounding it in historical context. <_o3a_p>

This year's series will bring together students, scholars and community organizers to trace the historical roots of the political, economic and ethical crises in higher education and propose solutions for debt-saddled students, resource-starved communities and others whose lives and futures depend on this bedrock social institution.<_o3a_p>

All 11 in-person and online events held throughout the academic year are free and open to public.<_o3a_p>

Baldwin, author of "In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower," will open the series in Bowker Auditorium and via Zoom with "Is Higher Education Good for Our Communities? Assessing the Past and Forging a New Path Forward," which will trace the roots of these crises and assess how the "public good" of higher education has shifted from a service provider of education and research to acting as a major force of economic development and political governance in our communities.<_o3a_p>

Following Baldwin's keynote address, Timothy Eatman of Rutgers University will address "Striving for Restorative Justice and Repair in Academe," exploring historic and current injustices, especially universities' relationships to slavery and colonialism, on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m., in the Commonwealth Honors College Events Hall and via Zoom. <_o3a_p>

On Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. via Zoom, historians and educators Jesse Hagopian, Paul Ortiz and Ellen Schrecker will address ideological assaults on critical thought in "The Attack on Honest History."<_o3a_p>

Union organizers Joe Berry and Diana Vallera will explore the past, present and future of campus union organizing in "The Academic Labor Movement Now," Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.<_o3a_p>

A capstone address by Christopher Newfield of the Independent Social Research Foundation rounds out the semester. In "What Are the Humanities For?," to be presented Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. via Zoom, Newfield will explore how higher education might be reorganized around its intellectual and social benefits rather than monetary ones.<_o3a_p>

The 2024-25 series is presented in collaboration with more than two dozen community and university partners, including numerous UMass Amherst and Five College academic departments, programs and initiatives, as well as the Commonwealth Honors College, the UMass Amherst Graduate School, and colleges of Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Education.<_o3a_p>

For more information, including a full list and descriptions of series lectures and access to registration, visit the 2024-25 Feinberg Family Distinguished Lecture Series website or email [email protected].

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