Sept. 3rd update (see below).  Please join us on Zoom on Thursday afternoons this fall, from 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM (eastern time) for this 5-session community conversation series to watch short films and then participate in facilitated, generous, and exploratory...

Suzanne Simard grew up among old-growth forests in Canada and went on to study forestry. As a graduate student, she began to wonder why newly planted trees often failed to thrive after reforestation resulting from clear cutting. The newly planted trees had plenty...

Professor Dan Kunich taught a class in the Landscape Architecture program. The class involved a team approach to the introduction to design principles. Students were engaged in a number of in-class activities employing the principles. Students were placed in small...

The availability of food has long affected urban development. Prior to the availability of refrigeration, cities tended to grow vertically because they needed an agricultural green belt for their food supply. Once refrigeration became widely available, food...

Dr. Hunter McHenry was reviewing the syllabus on the first day of class. After going over the standard components of the syllabus, he said, “I believe in the power of collaboration. So, I’m going to place you in learning groups. A lot of what you do in this class...

Lillian Moller was one of nine children born to a prosperous family. She was a very good student, but her father didn’t think his daughters needed college degrees. She was able to persuade her father into letting her try college. She excelled and graduated with a...

There’s an old saying about the value of collaboration, “if you want to go fast, go alone—but if you want to go far, go together.” But what if you don’t know how to work well together? How can we get better at collaboration? Working as a group can help us tap into...

After his wife passed, Paul Washburn decided it was time for a career change. He left his law practice and now was starting out as an Assistant Professor in Political Science. He inherited a syllabus for Foundations of the Justice System course, which had an...

William Perkin grew up in a family of seven children in nineteenth century London. At various times in his youth, William had desires to be a builder, a musician, or an artist. His father wanted him to be an architect. William chose to be a chemist. In spite of his...

Gus Diamici was a dynamo. He created a sports equipment company that was known in the extreme sports industry for its innovative products. Gus was a very difficult boss to work for and didn’t tolerate those who did not make a contribution. Some would call him...

Stephanie Kwolek was born to Polish immigrants to the US in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Her father died when she was 10, but he left her with a career-long interest in science. Stephanie also had an interest in fashion design from her mother. But her mother...