Lectures brings profs to dorms
By ERIN LaRUFFA
Associate News Editor
When staff members in the office of the student body president were searching through their archives, they decided to bring back a lecture series that was popular at Notre Dame during the 1970s and 1980s, according to Brendan Harris, a staff member in the Office of the President.
Last spring, student government held the first lecture in the Last Lecture Series. By fall semester of this year, the series' popularity grew to the point that approximately 175 students came to listen to professor Hugh Paige, Harris said.
"He was a remarkable success," said Harris. "It was really packed."
The first lecture in the series for this semester will take place tonight at 7 p.m. in St. Edward's Hall. Economics professor David Ruccio will present a talk entitled, "Teaching at the Margins."
"The purpose is to give Notre Dame students a chance to hear the best professors at this University," Harris said. "It also gives the professors an opportunity to speak on a topic of their choice."
Indeed, the title of the lecture series reflects the fact that professors are encouraged to give a lecture as if it were the last one of their career.
"Often that turns into some really inspiring words from our professors," Harris said.
Harris selects the lecturers based on a list of professors that students nominated, he explained. He added that he tries to select professors from a variety of academic disciplines.
Admission is free, and refreshments are also provided, according to Harris.
All News Stories for Wednesday, January 23, 2002
