Lectures & Presentations

'Mama Said Knock You Out'—a pedagogy keynote March 24

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:36:32 +0000

'Mama Said Knock You Out'—a pedagogy keynote March 24 Megan M Rogers Fri, 03/13/2026 - 11:36

Carmen Kynard of Texas Christian University will deliver the annual keynote address of CMDI's Inclusive Pedagogy Series. She interrogates race, Black feminisms, Black cultures and languages, and the politics of education with an emphasis on composition and literacies studies.

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Women in engineering—a panel, networking event March 11

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:32:38 +0000

Women in engineering—a panel, networking event March 11 Megan M Rogers Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:32

As CU ��ý�� marks its 150th anniversary, alumnae at different stages of their careers will share insights, lessons learned and strategies for navigating the engineering field and advancing professionally.

As CU ��ý�� marks its 150th anniversary, alums at different stages of their careers will share insights, lessons learned and strategies for navigating the engineering field and advancing professionally.

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Is free speech an outmoded concept? Join a discussion April 1

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:58:52 +0000

Is free speech an outmoded concept? Join a discussion April 1 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/27/2026 - 11:58

Nadine Strossen, a former longtime ACLU president, will discuss the most challenging questions about free speech rights—and wrongs.

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How CU ��ý�� innovators are using AI to win major grants—an event March 25

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:12:19 +0000

How CU ��ý�� innovators are using AI to win major grants—an event March 25 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/27/2026 - 10:12

This virtual session will highlight real-world strategies for integrating AI into idea generation, narrative framing and proposal refinement—offering attendees actionable insights they can use immediately.

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The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:13:40 +0000

The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/20/2026 - 11:13

As the United States Constitution approaches its 250th anniversary, the Centennial State Colorado marks 150 years since the adoption of its own constitution.

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Cultural Events Board hosting Michelle Alexander Feb. 25

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:00:23 +0000

Cultural Events Board hosting Michelle Alexander Feb. 25 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/20/2026 - 11:00

Editor's note: Michelle Alexander's 2025 talk was postponed and will now be held on Feb. 25, 2026. All originally purchased tickets remain valid.

Best-selling author and civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander will speak at CU ��ý�� at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 25. The event will take place at the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom and tickets are available now.

Tickets will be $2 for students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $10 for the general public. The event is sponsored by CU ��ý��’s student-run Cultural Events Board (CEB). Ticket prices don't include processing fees.

Perhaps best known for her 2010 bestseller "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," Alexander's career spans law, academia, advocacy and journalism. She has served as a civil rights lawyer, taught law at Stanford and Ohio State, and continues to write on issues of justice as an opinion columnist for The New York Times.

More from the Cultural Events Board on Alexander:

Why did the board choose Michelle Alexander to speak at CU?

We selected Michelle Alexander because she stands at the intersection of civil liberties and media literacy. These are two themes that CEB felt the CU community would benefit from learning more about.

Her book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," explores systemic racism in the American prison system, national conversations on systemic racism, criminal justice reform and the continuing impact of racial inequality. As a civil rights lawyer, legal scholar, advocate and writer, Alexander speaks directly to the challenges of due process, the criminalization of activism and the biases embedded in legal and media systems.

Alexander has the ability to connect pressing cultural and legal issues with the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Her work critically examines the ways media and policy shape the collective understanding of civil liberties. We believe her insights will challenge and inspire CU students to think deeply about equity, solidarity and truth in our society.

What about her work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

Her insights will resonate with CU students who are navigating questions about systemic inequality, misinformation and the role of media in shaping public understanding. CU students will benefit from her perspective on how narratives—whether legal, political or digital—can reinforce oppression or foster solidarity.

About the Cultural Events Board

The Cultural Events Board is composed of student leaders and aims to broaden cultural knowledge by supporting the voices of underrepresented and misrepresented groups on campus, thereby promoting student engagement with their platforms. The Cultural Events Board encourages opportunities for interaction among students resulting in respect, appreciation and understanding for cultural differences.

Past CEB speakers have included award-winning singer, dancer and actress Rita Moreno; South African-born comedian and commentator Trevor Noah; comedian and commentator Hasan Minhaj; former Ohio Governor John Kasich; Olympic gymnast and author Aly Raisman; Academy Award-winner Viola Davis; acclaimed actress, author and activist Diane Guerrero.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: An Evening With Michelle Alexander
When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $2 for students, $5 for faculty/staff and $10 for the general public.

Get Your Tickets

Michelle Alexander is a best-selling author and civil rights advocate, whose career spans law, academia and journalism.

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Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:40:06 +0000

Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:40

Attend the 2026 Arts and Sciences Honors Program Distinguished Lecture Series on March 11.

The College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program is thrilled to welcome Tom Cech, distinguished professor of biochemistry and Nobel Laureate in chemistry, as this spring's featured speaker. In his presentation, "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution", Cech will discuss the extraordinary power of RNA.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution"
When: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gold Biosciences Building, Gold Auditorium (A2B70)

Since the 1960’s, RNA has been understood as the messenger for the code of life stored in the DNA double helix. Decades of research on messenger RNA allowed the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to be developed in record time in 2020, putting the brakes on the viral pandemic. But RNA is so much more than a simple messenger—it is an active participant in the chemistry of life.

In his talk, Cech will explore some of RNA’s magical powers and stories that are recounted in his recent book "The Catalyst."

Arrive at 5 p.m. for a seat and a slice of pizza! The talk will start at 5:30 p.m. No RSVP is required, and everyone including community partners outside of CU are welcome to attend.

The honors program has partnered with ��ý�� Bookstore to offer copies of Cech’s books for purchase at the event, but you are also welcome to bring your own copy. A book signing will follow the talk at the entrance to the auditorium.

Provost Ann Stevens will say a few remarks and will introduce Cech.

Attend this Arts and Sciences Honors Program Distinguished Lecture featuring Tom Cech and learn about the magic of RNA.

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'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:44:19 +0000

'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19 Megan M Rogers Thu, 02/05/2026 - 09:44

Using data from past deportation campaigns alongside new findings from 2025, Associate Professor Chloe East will examine whether deportations actually improve outcomes for United States-born workers and the broader economy, as well as changes in ICE activity both in Colorado and nationwide.

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'Beyond Preservation: Rehumanizing the University from the Inside Out' Feb. 18

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:08:45 +0000

'Beyond Preservation: Rehumanizing the University from the Inside Out' Feb. 18 Megan M Rogers Tue, 02/03/2026 - 09:08

Join the next free ��ý��Talks presentation, where visiting expert Randy Bass of Georgetown University will talk about how universities can navigate transformative change.

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Researcher addresses the challenges of species survival—join Feb. 17

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:36:08 +0000

Researcher addresses the challenges of species survival—join Feb. 17 Megan M Rogers Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:36

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

In his Distinguished Research Lecture, CU ��ý�� Professor Dan Doak will address the question, "What can we do that will actually help species survive?"

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Lectures & Presentations

'Mama Said Knock You Out'—a pedagogy keynote March 24

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Women in engineering—a panel, networking event March 11

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How CU ��ý�� innovators are using AI to win major grants—an event March 25

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The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25

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Cultural Events Board hosting Michelle Alexander Feb. 25

Why did the board choose Michelle Alexander to speak at CU?

What about her work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

About the Cultural Events Board

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Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

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'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19

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Lectures & Presentations

'Mama Said Knock You Out'—a pedagogy keynote March 24

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Women in engineering—a panel, networking event March 11

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Is free speech an outmoded concept? Join a discussion April 1

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How CU ������ý���� innovators are using AI to win major grants—an event March 25

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The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25

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Cultural Events Board hosting Michelle Alexander Feb. 25

Why did the board choose Michelle Alexander to speak at CU?

What about her work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

About the Cultural Events Board

Related Articles

Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

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'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19

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'Beyond Preservation: Rehumanizing the University from the Inside Out' Feb. 18

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Researcher addresses the challenges of species survival—join Feb. 17

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How CU ��ý�� innovators are using AI to win major grants—an event March 25