About Us
- Overview
- January 17, Alice Taylor-Colbert, Ph.D.
- January 31, Todd Timmons, Ph.D.
- February 14, Daniel Pinzon, Ph.D.
- February 28, Kevin Lewelling, Ph.D.
- March 13, Rod Nelson, Ph.D. and Lynda Nelson, Ph.D.
- March 27, Lori Norin, M.A.
- April 10, Roy Hill, M.A.
- April 24, Sydney Fulbright, M.S.N.
- Contact Information
Overview
The Scholar Series is a new initiative by UA Fort Smith's Center for Lifelong Learning and the Fort Smith Public Library to provide learning opportunities for the general public free of charge. UA Fort Smith faculty members will present a topic that draws broadly on the faculty member’s research and experience.The Scholar series will be held every other Thursday evening beginning January 17 and ending April 24 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Fort Smith Public Library's Main Branch in the Community Room on the 1st floor.
January 17, Alice Taylor-Colbert, Ph.D.
Alice Taylor-Colbert holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in American Studies from Emory University. She is currently the Chair of the History, Geography, and Political Science Department at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. Dr. Taylor-Colbert begin her duties at UA Fort Smith in 2005.
The Life and Times of Traditional Cherokee Women
Come and explore the role of women in the Cherokee society, government, marriage, and family. Learn how the social, political, and economic role of traditional Cherokee women differed tremendously from that of European women and how that caused tension between the two cultures.January 31, Todd Timmons, Ph.D.
Todd Timmons earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Mathematics from Texas Tech University. He also holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in the History of Science from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Timmons began teaching at Westark Community College in 1988.
Euler Meets Doc Holliday: A Brief History of the Mathematics of Games of Chance
Did you know that the birth of the mathematical theory of probability may be traced to a question involving fairness in a popular game of chance in seventeenth-century Europe? Did you know that many of the greatest mathematicians in history wrote treatises on probability and gambling? Did you know that European mathematicians of the eighteenth century, including the incomparable Leonhard Euler, analyzed the mathematics of the popular card game of Faro—a game later played by countless gamblers of the American West, among them Doc Holliday, who was also a Faro dealer? Come find out more about how games of chance have played a central role in the development of the mathematics of probability.
February 14, Daniel Pinzon, Ph.D.
Daniel Pinzon holds a B.A. in Physics with a Concentration in Mathematics from Cornell University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Pinzon began teaching at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in 2006.
Bubbles: Simple Questions with Surprisingly Hard Answers
It's been known (or at least suspected) since the time of Ancient Greece that if you have a certain volume of air and you wanted to use the least amount of material to hold it in, then your container would be a hollow ball! A bubble (we think) follows the same idea. But what about when two bubbles meet? How do bubbles know what the best shape is? Mathematicians were surprised to find out that this is a difficult problem and that we didn’t really have the mathematical “language” to answer these questions. In this talk, we will do what mathematicians do when they get a hard problem: do an easier case first! We will discuss the following question: If you have two areas of land that you want fenced in and separated from each other, what is the least amount of fence that you need to use? What shape do the two areas have?February 28, Kevin Lewelling, Ph.D.
Kevin Lewelling received his B.S. in IET Industrial Management from East Central University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of Oklahoma. Dr. Lewelling began teaching at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in 2004.
Bottoms Up: Nanotechnology
Ever wondered what nanotechnology is? This session will give you a broad overview of the field of nanotechnology with the discussion of two real-world applications in this emerging field. You do not need to be an expert to understand the revolutionary changes this technology will bring about. March 13, Rod Nelson, Ph.D. and Lynda Nelson, Ph.D.
Rod Nelson holds a B.S. in Biology from Southwest Missouri State University and M.S. and Ph.D., in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Nelson received the Lucille Speakman Excellence in Teaching Award for the 1996-97 academic year. Lynda Nelson holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Millsaps College and M.S in Chemistry and Ph.D. Biochemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Nelson received the Lucille Speakman Excellence in Teaching Award for the 1992-93 academic year and was awarded the Whirlpool Master Teacher Award in 2004. The Nelsons began teaching in 1990 for Westark Community College.
Hidden Jewels, Unusual Lives: The Slime Molds
Have you noticed some type of fungi growing in your yard and were curious about what it is? It could be Slime Mold. Learn about these hidden jewels and how these microscopic organisms might have some degree of ecological significance.
March 27, Lori Norin, M.A.
Lori Norin holds an A.A. from Westark Community College, a B.A. in Journalism Education, and an M.A. in Communicating Arts from Northeastern State University. She received the Lucille Speakman Excellence in Education Award for the 2003-2004 academic year and was awarded the Whirlpool Master Teacher in 2000. Ms. Norin began teaching for Westark Community College in 1991.
Have You Heard About Listening?
We all know that men and women communicate differently in everyday life. In no other context is it more distinct than listening. This can be a challenge since successful communication depends on flexible listening styles. Learn how gender differences influence listening and hearing. April 10, Roy Hill, M.A.
Roy Hill holds a B.A. and M.A. in English and American Literature from the University of Arkansas. Mr. Hill began teaching for Westark College in 1999.
"The Big Bear of Arkansas" and Southwestern Humor
Have you read T.B. Thorpe’s "The Big Bear of Arkansas"? Thorpe’s work characterizes southwestern humor—a type of fiction that was popular in America during the first half of the 19th century. This type of humor was widely used by writers such as Mark Twain and can still be found today in the work of the late, great Jerry Clower, Jeff Foxworthy, and Larry the Cable Guy.
April 24, Sydney Fulbright, M.S.N.
Sydney Fulbright holds an A.A. from Westark Community College, an A.A.S. in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas, a B.S. in Nursing from Arkansas Tech University, and an M.S. in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas. Ms. Fulbright began teaching for Westark College in 1998.Depression in the Elderly: A Growing Problem
Contrary to popular belief depression is not part of the normal aging process. It can be treated successfully. This talk will discuss the misinformation, causes, and treatments concerning depression and the elderly population.Contact Information
For more information about our Scholar Series, contact the center at 479-788-7212 or by e-mail: Center for Lifelong Learning
5210 Grand Ave. • P.O. Box 3649