FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 9, 2012

MUW’s Gordy Honors College Forum Series announces spring schedule

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- The Gordy Honors College Forum series opens Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at Nissan Auditorium in Parkinson Hall on the campus of MUW. The Forum Series continues through April presenting lectures, film and undergraduate research.

Dr. Thomas G. Velek, director of the Gordy Honors College, is pleased that the Forum Series continues to be one of the premier lecture series in the state. The series strives to offer dynamic and stimulating presentations for the MUW campus and the Columbus community as a whole.

The series opens on the 19th with a discussion of the importance of internships and an exploration of potential opportunities. Dr. Brian Anderson will focus on The Washington Center and its programs for undergraduates.

On Thursday, Feb. 2, the series begins a two-part retrospective on Hurricane Katrina. The Academy Award nominated film “Trouble the Water” will be screened that evening.  The screening will be followed by discussion of the film.

The series welcomes special guest Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré on Thursday, Feb. 16. General Honoré was heralded by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin as “one John Wayne dude” for his command of Joint Task Force-Katrina. Honoré was credited with bringing order to the city and the relief effort in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in American history.  General Honoré served in a variety of command and staff positions which focused on defense support to civil authorities and homeland defense.

Honoré’s presentation is titled “The New Normal: Leadership and Preparedness in the 21st Century.” His visit to Columbus is co-sponsored by Baptist Memorial Hospital.

The Forum Series continues on March 22 with Dr. Ghanshyam Heda’s discussion of "Cystic Fibrosis Research at MUW.”

Velek noted that the series always highlights the great work and research of MUW faculty.  “MUW is not thought of as a research university, but the truth is the MUW faculty conduct great research and professional work each year,” he said.

On Thursday, April 5, the series welcomes Lt. Col. Michael Gibbons (USAFR ret.) to the MUW campus. With 30 years of military service, Gibbons brings a unique perspective to his presentation “The Politics of Command.” Reflecting on history as well as his own career, Gibbons examines how political considerations effect command decisions.

The Forum Series concludes on Thursday, April 19 with the Honors College’s Spring Research Symposium. The event showcases the undergraduate research of MUW seniors who are working on honors research projects. A poster session will be presented by students midway through projects and final research presentations will be made. 

“It is exciting that we have so many students doing undergraduate research and that the quality of the work done at MUW is so high” noted Dr. Velek.

All presentations are at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium and free and open to the public. Speakers are available after to meet and greet members of the audience. For further information or to reserve group seating, contact Dr. Thomas G. Velek at tvelek@as.muw.edu or (662) 241-6850 or visit http://web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/main-honors/