Spring 2025 Lecture Series
Lectures are held at 4:30pm in the Butterfield Room of the Wasch Center unless otherwise listed.
February 5 - Oleksandra Volakova, “Resilience and Hope: How the Ukrainians are Surviving and Supporting the War.”
With the support of a summer research grant, Sasha Volakova spent the summer visiting several towns and cities in Ukraine and conducting interviews with residents about how they are experiencing their country’s war with Russia. In her talk, Sasha will use transcripts and photos from three of these interviews, conducted in three different cities, to portray how three individuals are adapting to wartime conditions and doing what they can to keep hope alive.
Monday, March 3 - Stephen Bank, "Rediscovering the Art of Listening and Conversation in a Polarized World"
April 2 - Valeria Lopez Fadul, “The Cradle of Worlds: Language and Knowledge in the Spanish Empire”
TBA - Matt Lesser, “Governing and Legislating in Connecticut During Trump’s First Term”
Starting in 2009 Sen. Lesser represented the 100th House District for five two-year terms. He was elected to the Senate in 2018. In that campaign and each of the subsequent campaigns he has won almost 60% of the votes cast. He represents the 9th District, which includes parts of Middletown, Cromwell, Newington, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield. Among Sen. Lesser’s major interests are health and healthcare, housing, transportation, and labor rights. His current committees are Energy and Technology; Human Services (chair); Judiciary; Appropriations; Labor and Public Employees; Housing (vice chair); and Judiciary. He serves as one of the deputy leaders of the majority Democratic caucus.