Camarillo, Calif., January 24, 2006 –91łÔąĎ announces its campus- and community-wide celebration of the 300th birthday of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most remarkable Americans of all time.
As part of the University’s commitment to community and civic engagement, the CSUCI Ben Franklin Distinguished Lecture Series was created to share Franklin’s enduring legacy with the public and to inspire renewed appreciation of the values he embodied.
Local high schools, colleges, universities, and the general public are invited to join with the campus in attending the free lecture series featuring preeminent scholars on Franklin’s life, times, and legacies. Several of the authors have received Pulitzer Prizes.
On February 9, Carla Mulford, associate professor of English, Pennsylvania State University, will speak on “Benjamin Franklin, Traditions of Liberalism, and the Plan for an Academy at Philadelphia” at 2 p.m. in Conference Hall 1 on CSUCI campus. Later that day, Michael Kammen,
the Newton C. Farr Professor of American History and Culture, Cornell University, will speak on “Seeing and Being Seen: Franklin’s Visionary Fame in the Context of the Nation’s Founders” at 6:30 p.m. in the Science Auditorium on campus.
On Thursday, March 30, Gordon Wood, the Alva O. Way University Professor and Professor of History, Brown University, will speak on “The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin” at 2 p.m., and J.A. Leo Lemay, the H. F. DuPont Winterthur Professor of English, University of Delaware, will speak on “Franklin’s Intellectual and Personal Characteristics” at 6:30 p.m. Both lectures will be held in Conference Hall 1.
Culminating the celebration will be David McCullough, two-time winner of a Pulitzer Prize, who will be the featured speaker at the University’s commencement ceremonies, Saturday, May 20.
Those interested in attending any or all of the events in the series should RSVP to Cindy Eaves, events coordinator, Academic Affairs, at 805-437-8598. Follow parking and event signs to event locations. Parking is $6 for each day. Permits must be purchased from permit dispensers in Lots A1, A2, and A4.
# # #
About 91łÔąĎ
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.