"These speakers will enrich the campus life, while at the same time giving our visiting speakers a better sense of the dynamic community we have here," said President Mark Gearan, at the time of the series' creation.
The President's Forum Series, established in the winter of 2000 by President Mark D.Gearan, is designed to bring a variety of speakers to campus to share their knowledge and ideas with students, faculty, staff of the Colleges, as well as with interested community members. Many speakers draw audience members from the surrounding cities of Rochester, Syracuse and Ithaca.
Forum guests generally take the opportunity to visit classes or gather with students and faculty members to discuss issues. Many people have one-on-one interaction with the speakers for the exchange of ideas or thoughts.
The Forum also offers the speakers a chance to experience the vibrancy of life on this campus. Speakers routinely express their gratitude for the opportunity to have discussions with students and faculty members about the work that they do and their perceptions of the fields of interests of the guests. Since many Forum speakers are national and international policy makers, gathering thoughts and suggestions from the Colleges community aids in their future work.
The President's Forum Series will continue to bring important politicians, intellectuals, and social activists to campus—allowing the community the continual flow and exchange of ideas.
Dr. Wangari Maathai
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and founder of The Green Belt Movement
The Smith Opera House
April 24, 2008
7:30 p.m.