NSU Horizons Fall 2007

28 horizons D uring the academic year ending in 2007, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences pursued the college-wide academic theme of “Identity.” Members of the college community studied various meanings and implications of identity through special courses, theatre productions, student- faculty reading groups, faculty lectures, and panel discussions. This theme was reinforced by the college’s Distinguished Speakers Series, offering compelling perspectives on how we know ourselves and others, as well as how those understand- ings are changing for millions of people. Mark Nerenhausen, M.A. The college welcomed Mark Nerenhausen as the keynote speaker for 2006–2007 Convocation series. Since 1998, Nerenhausen has served as president and CEO of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Broward Center also manages the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the Miniaci Performing Arts Center on NSU’s main campus. The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences has partnered with the Broward Center on numerous activities and events. Focused on the role that the arts play in community building and economic development, Nerenhausen also serves on local community boards, including Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Council Steering Committee, ArtServe, the Museum of Art, the Concert Association of Florida, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging and Hospitality Association. Scientist Spencer Wells, Ph.D. The Division of Math, Science, and Technology pre- sented geneticist and anthropologist Spencer Wells, Ph.D., speaking on “The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey.” Wells is project leader for the National Geographic Society’s Genographic Project, a sweeping five-year genetic study of human migration, whose global network of research laboratories collects and analyzes DNA from cultures both near and remote. The project’s resulting genetic atlas provides insight into the connection between modern humans and African ancestors living 60,000 years ago. In his talk, Wells discussed how the Genographic Project has linked geneticists, archaeologists, anthropologists, climatologists, and linguists for interdisciplinary research into the origins of human identity. This has led to a theory that humans dispersed in migratory patterns from Africa to settle across the globe. Statesman Ehud Barak, M.S. The Division of Humanities presented Ehud Barak, former Israeli prime minister. Barak served a 36-year career in the Israeli Defense Forces and was the most decorated soldier in Israeli history. He led Israel’s elite anti-terrorist unit and served his country as minister of the interior, minister of foreign affairs, and defense minister. From 1999 to 2001, Barak served as the 10th prime minister of Israel. In the first half of 2007, Barak By Richard Toumey Distinguished Speakers Series Explores