The University Forum Committee (UFC) is responsible for bringing external speakers to the campus of Appalachian State University.
The University Forum Lecture series is one of the longest-running such series at Appalachian State University and it provides opportunities for the students, faculty, and staff at the university and for people in the surrounding region to hear some of the most stimulating speakers in the country.
Spring 2024 Schedule
Kari Margolis, "Unleashing Your Creative Potential"
Tuesday, February 6, 2 p.m.
Valborg Theatre
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Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Screening of “King Coal” Boone Docs Film Festival with Q&A
Friday, February 23, 7 p.m.
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country
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Stefania Arteaga, Legislative Landscapes and Legal Advocacy
Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.
Reich College of Education, Room 124
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Helen Anne Curry Garden, Granary, Genebank: The Science and Politics of Seed Keeping
Tuesday, April 23, 6 p.m.
Watauga County Agricultural Conference Center
252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone, NC 28607 (downstairs in the Extension Building)
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Earth Month Film Fest on will screen two films: The River Runs On & Unbounded followed by discussion with guest filmmaker Garrett Martin
Wednesday, April 24, 5 p.m.
I.G. Greer Auditorium
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Dr. Britt Wray “Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety”
Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m.
Blue Ridge Ballroom (201AB), Plemmons Student Union
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University Forum Committee Mission
The mission of the University Forum Committee is to bring distinguished speakers to the campus of Appalachian State University for the purpose of enlightening and educating the university community about issues of interest. The goal of an active and engaging speaker series should be to promote the exchange of ideas through the process of civil discourse. Invited speakers play an integral role in the educational experience by exposing students, staff and faculty to new ideas, and they help advance the learning process by challenging people with new and perhaps controversial ideas. Exposure to such ideas helps to prepare students to be the leaders of tomorrow, to develop an awareness of the role that ideas play in a democratic society, and to think critically about issues of concern to themselves and society.
The committee also administers the External Scholars Grant Program. This program is designed to facilitate bringing in distinguished academics and scholars from across all fields of inquiry for the purpose of enhancing the scholarship and/or pedagogy of the faculty.
University Forum Committee Current Membership (2023-2024)
Shanan Fitts
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Reich College of Education
fittss@appstate.edu
Kristina Groover
Department of English
College of Arts and Sciences
grooverkk@appstate.edu
Joy James
Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education
Beaver College of Health Sciences
jamesjj@appstate.edu
Johnnie Lotesta
Department of Sociology
College of Arts and Sciences
lotestaja@appstate.edu
Jayjit Roy
Department of Economics
Walker College of Business
royj@appstate.edu
Susan Weidmann
Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education
Beaver College of Health Sciences
weidmannsg@appstate.edu
Alice Wright
Department of Anthropology
College of Arts and Sciences
wrightap2@appstate.edu