The Syracuse University community will hear from a diverse group of speakers as part of the 14th University Lecture Series, set to begin Tuesday night.

This year’s lecture series features seven speakers, who will talk about a wide array of subjects from the environment and photography to the WNBA and social data. Esther Gray, special assistant for Academic Affairs, coordinates the University lectures.

“I have coordinated the University Lectures program since it began and I sincerely believe in what we have accomplished not only for the campus but for our community,” she said. “I’ve been told on many occasions by students and community people how much they look forward to the series.”

The first speaker of the series is Van Jones, president and co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, and co-host of CNN’s Crossfire reboot. Jones will speak Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. In his lecture, Jones will introduce a plan for confronting the economy and the environment. Jones will also discuss his supportive role in passing the Green Jobs Act, which was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2007, according to an SU news release.

The Syracuse Center of Excellence, an organization accelerating the creation of environmental innovations, is sponsoring the Jones lecture.

Tamara Rosanio, project manager and assistant to the executive director of the Syracuse Center of Excellence said it is sponsoring the lecture because of Jones’ credibility on sustainability issues.

The University Lectures program was created in July 2001 by alumni and Board of Trustee member, Robert Menschel. Since then, the support of the board, alumni and friends has enabled the discussions to be offered free to the public.

Gray said the goal of the University Lecture Series is to bring a selection of cross-disciplinary speakers who are at the top of their field. She said she hopes to find speakers who inspire students and give them something to think about.

This year’s lineup brings a different variety of speakers, Gray said.

The speakers range from environmentalists, authors, photographers, artists and lawyers to experts on data, management and entrepreneurship, she said.

“Each speaker is completely different but each has a valuable message for everyone,” Gray said. “I have wanted Van Jones for three years, Eve Ensler longer than that.”

Ensler, a Tony Award-winning playwright, performer and activist will deliver “In the Body of Justice” on Oct. 15. Carrie Mae Weems, an artist and a storyteller, will lecture on Oct. 28 on “Swinging into Sixty: A Woman Ponders the Future.” Barry Scheck, co-founder of The Innocence Project, will speak about the project on Nov. 11.

The spring portion of the series kicks off on March 3 with Andreas Weigend, founder of Social Data Lab, who will speak on the power of the social data. WNBA President Laurel J. Richie will deliver “The WNBA: Showing the World What’s Possible” on March 18 and National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths will conclude the series on March 24 with a lecture titled, “From Photojournalist to Photo Activist: The Ripple Effects Images Project.”

Some SU students say they are excited for this year’s series.

“It’s great that while we are studying and working so hard, we get the chance to meet people who have been through the same process and have had success with it,” said Molly Berger, a freshman television, radio and film major. “I’m excited to go to the lectures in the future to get some more motivation.”

Shantel Destra, a sophomore marketing major, agreed.

“I’ve learned from the lectures how successful you can become through hard work,” she said. “The speakers are inspiring and make me want to continue, get out there and do big things. It’s great free, first-hand advice.”

Gray said she hopes it means “a great deal” to those who attend to have these opportunities.

Said Gray: “For people on our campus and community to have the opportunity to hear from speakers of the caliber that we have hosted, is incredible.”

Published on September 30, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Elissa: emcandio@syr.edu