Speakers include a meteorologist, nurse,
humorist and political expert
Victoria College’s 2012-2013 Lyceum Lecture Series will feature
speakers whose topics include the myths of American history, extreme weather,
the modern condition of the American Indian and inspiring stories from a nurse
who has visited some of the world’s worst war-torn countries.
Rick Shenkman, author and expert on American politics, will
speak on Monday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Leo J. Welder Center for the
Performing Arts. Shenkman is the best-selling author of “Legends, Lies and
Cherished Myths of American History” and most recently, “How Stupid Are We?
Facing the Truth About the American Voter.” Regularly seen on Fox News, CNN and
MSNBC, Shenkman is an associate professor of history at George Mason University
and founder of its popular “History News Network,” a website featuring leading
historians’ perspectives on current events.
Meteorologist and extreme storm chaser Reed Timmer will
speak on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in the VISD Fine Arts Center. As a star on
Discovery Channel's “Storm Chasers,” Timmer became the first person in history
to capture high definition video inside a tornado. His book, “Into the Storm,” describes
how he has intercepted more than 250 tornadoes and a dozen powerful hurricanes
during the last decade—including Hurricane Katrina.
On Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 at noon, VC welcomes Sherman
Alexie, author and humorist on society and pop culture, to the VISD Fine Arts
Center. Named by “The New Yorker” as one of the top 20 writers for the 21st
century, Alexie has published numerous award-winning books including “The Lone
Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven” and “The Absolutely True Diary of a
Part-Time Indian.” His presentation includes tales of contemporary American
Indian life laced with razor-sharp humor and biting wit—characteristics also
found in his films, including “Smoke Signals,” a Sundance Film festival award
winner.
Mary Lightfine, a nurse who has provided medical and
humanitarian aid in many countries, will be the final speaker on Tuesday, April
9, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the VISD Fine Arts Center. After years of working as an
emergency room nurse, Lightfine chose to visit Mogadishu, Somalia to experience
a new perspective on the human tolls of war and starvation. She recounts some
of her amazing experiences in the recently published “Nurses, Nomads and
Warlords.” Her presentation gives an insider’s account of what it’s like to
bring critical medical and humanitarian assistance to those living in some of
the most dangerous, war-ravaged regions of the globe.
If you go…
Rick Shenkman
“Election 2012: Presidential Politics & American Myths”
Monday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts
Reed Timmer
“Extreme Storm Chasing”
Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
VISD Fine Arts Center
Sherman Alexie
“Without Reservations: An Urban Indian’s Comic, Poetic and Highly
Irreverent Look at the World”
Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 at Noon
VISD Fine Arts Center
Mary Lightfine
“Nurse Without Boundaries”
Tuesday, Apr. 9, 2013 at 7 p.m.
VISD Fine Arts Center
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