Dean Joseph Cerny, on behalf of the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate, oversees the endowed lectureship programs. While the majority of the public lectures proceed without incident, the unusual can occur. These events hold the potential for disaster and glory all in the same moment. As lectures coordinator, I have the challenging but rewarding task of managing the series. The lectureships are like academic show business, and needless to say, I rarely find the job routine.
Excitement starts to build as word gets out about an event.
If a speaker or topic is controversial, interest from the campus and the public can be keen, occasionally warranting security precautions. At the previously mentioned lecture by Senator Simpson, one security-conscious audience member was observed with his pit bull in tow firmly leashed, of course. Most audiences are very enthusiastic about the speaker, and the subject matter often proves fascinating and thought-provoking. A scholar from the United Kingdom, John Horton Conway, spoke on mathematical knots, and he put on quite a show. He had at least five audience members on stage at any given time demonstrating knot formations with large ropes.