The CAS Community Lecture Series Kicks Off on August 21 with Bill Nye
We are excited about this year鈥檚 CAS Community Lecture Series, The Art and Science of Our World, which kicks off on August 21 with Bill Nye at 7pm at the Atwood Concert Hall. and are selling fast. Although Mr. Nye needs little introduction among his millions of fans, he is an engineer, comedian, author, and inventor. Audiences around the world have come to revere him. A good-natured Renaissance Man, Nye blends infectious humor and intellectual curiosity as he devotes himself to solving some of the world's most complex challenges through science. Best known for his Emmy-winning run as "Bill Nye the Science Guy," he brings his love of science and flair for comedy to every appearance鈥攄eftly translating complex issues to help inspire audiences of all ages to engage with and improve our world.
Expect Nye to cover a variety of topics during his appearance at the Atwood Concert Hall, many of which are mirrored in his books - including space & planetary science, climate change, environmental issues, current events in science, and his extensive background in television and education. He has a relevant and inspiring message for people to be good stewards of our planet and science-engaged in today's world. We鈥檙e honored that he鈥檒l join us as we kick off our third annual CAS Community Lecture Series.
We are also proud to announce that CAS has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read program. The Big Read broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. We have chosen Diane Wilson鈥檚 The Seed Keeper: A Novel as our Big Read. Diane Wilson will to deliver a talk as part of the lecture series and contribute to a year of programming around her book. In addition to being an author, Wilson is Executive Director of the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance. With support from the NEA, we will be working with our partners at the Anchorage Public Library and 49 Writers to distribute complimentary copies of the book throughout the community. The goal of the Big Read program is to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community. We hope you will join us in these endeavors. For more on the Big Read program, please visit
The remainder of the series will feature the following local and national figures: Jeff Lowenfels, award winning author, columnist, and gardener (Sept. 17); Kirk Johnson, Director Smithsonian Museum of Natural History & Ray Troll, Alaskan artist (Feb. 26); and Katie Orlinsky, photographer and photojournalism educator (Apr. 16). Subscriptions to the entire lecture series are available and are quite a bargain. Please consider showing support for the lecture series and CAS by . In addition to being a great value, the proceeds from the series go to students and programs in CAS. We hope to see you there.
Like our previous two CAS Community Lecture Series, this one, too, features several partnerships across the community and state. Each one of our events has a partner organization: Alaska Public Media (Bill Nye), 49 Writers (Diane Wilson), the Anchorage Daily News (Jeff Lowenfels), the Anchorage Museum (Kirk Johnson and Ray Troll), and the Alaska Press Club (Katie Orlinsky). These partners have been instrumental in ensuring an exciting array of such distinguished speakers and have helped us spread the word.
I hope that you find that the series continues to live up to its mission of challenging, teaching, and promoting dialogue while strengthening the bonds that make our community unique. Furthermore, the lecture series continues to be made possible with assistance from our sponsors and donors. In particular, we鈥檙e grateful for the support of Alaska Airlines, the Atwood Foundation, the Carr Foundation, Hotel Captain Cook, First National Bank of Alaska, and our individual sponsors and donors who鈥檝e supported the College鈥檚 departments and programs, as well as our Community Lecture Series. We greatly value the assistance of the community in helping make these events happen.
