Elon University has a long standing tradition of bringing strong cultural events and accomplished public speakers as well as staging fine student performances.

This year’s fall cultural calendar follows in that tradition. Throughout the years Senator John Glenn, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former New Jersey governor Christie Todd Whitman and former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee have come to Elon to speak. Here is a look at some of the highlights on this fall’s schedule of events.

Film Screening of “Fully Awake: Black Mountain College” The film, “Fully Awake,” takes a look at Black Mountain College. This school existed from 1933 to 1957 in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The college was a groundbreaking and influential experiment in education that inspired and shaped several American artists of the 20th century.

The school focused its curriculum on the visual, literary and performing arts. Today, the school’s legacy helps influence an alternative educational style.

See the film at 8 p.m. on Sept. 16 Under The Oaks outside of McEwen Communications building. Should it rain, the event will move to McEwen 011. This event will be free.

George F. Will, “The Political Argument Today” Famed political columnist and author George F. Will comes to Elon for The Baird Pulitzer Prize Lecture. In this talk, Will is expected to provide an up close and incisive commentary on the political scene in Washington, while discussing what the future holds in areas of public policy, public affairs, American society and the race for the White House in 2008.

Will won a Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his “distinguished commentary on a variety of topics.”

See Will at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 20 in McCrary Theatre ($12 or Elon ID for admission, tickets available on Aug. 30)

Elizabeth Losos, “Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Understanding Global Change through the Costa Rican Experience”

Losos serves as president and CEO of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS). OTS is a partnership/consortium of more than 60 universities and research institutes dedicated to education, research and the responsible use of natural resources in the tropics. OTS operates three scientific field stations in Costa Rica and offers courses in Costa Rica, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Catch Losos at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 in Whitley Auditorium. This lecture is part of the Voices of Discovery Science Speaker Series.

Department of Performing Arts presents “Marisol” by Jose Rivera

The play follows Marisol who is abandoned by her guardian angel and must navigate her way through the unpredictable, dangerous and funny world of the Bronx as she searches for life’s meaning. This play runs from Oct. 3 through Oct. 9 in the Black Box Theatre. The performance schedule is as follows 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday-Saturday, Monday-Tuesday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (Tickets are $12 or Elon ID for admission, reservations recommended starting Sept.26th).

Parke Puterbaugh,

“Rock and Roll is Dead and We Just Don’t Know It Yet

As a former senior editor and writer for “Rolling Stone” for 25 years, Puterbaugh knows rock and roll.

In this lecture, he is expected to discuss the state of popular music and culture. Puterbaugh also serves as a copywriter and curator for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. See Puterbaugh on at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 in Yeager Recital Hall.

Dr. Joan Roughgarden, “Evolution’s Rainbow”

Dr. Roughgarden is an evolutionary biologist and founder/director of the Earth Systems Program at Stanford University. In her recent work, “Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People,” Roughgarden argues that Darwin’s theory of sexual selection should be replaced with a new theory in which gender roles and sexuality are better understood as adaptations that facilitate cooperation in complex societies.

See Roughgarden at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 in McKinnon Hall. This talk is sponsored by The Terra Nova Community, the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life and the Elon Center for Environmental Studies.

Eugene Kaplan, “Sensuous Seas: Tales of a Marine Biologist”

In this lecture, Dr. Kaplan will talk about his live as a marine biologist with personal stories and first-hand accounts of what he has seen over the years. Catch Kaplan at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 in Whitley Auditorium. This lecture is sponsored by the Liberal Arts Forum.

Department of Performing Arts presents its Fall Musical.

The musical runs from Oct. 25 to 27 and then again from Nov. 2 to 4 in McCrary Theatre at 2 p.m. on Sunday and 7:30 p.m. all other times. ($12 or Elon ID for admission, with tickets available starting Oct. 4).

Arun Gandhi, “A Nonviolent Approach to Terrorism” Arun Gandhi is a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and like his grandfather, he is a socio-political activist. He has founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence and is a well-respected public speaker. In this talk, Gandhi will advocate nonviolence in response to terrorism and belief that being respected for your moral strength is far superior than being respected for your military power. In this lecture, Gandhi will also speak about how nations should turn policies towards the good of the world to be free of terrorism.

See the lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 in McCrary Theatre.

A&E Editor: RJ Kraft - 09/05/07