Laurel Pearson, assistant teaching professor of anthropology, will present “The Ties that Bind—Embracing Connection for a Sustainable Future.”

Humans, as a species, have thrived due in part to our deep connections to nature and to other people. Recognizing these ties can build our awareness of the need to protect each other and preserve our environment. This lecture will draw on the discipline of anthropology and the holistic qualities of a liberal arts education to discuss our role in building a sustainable future.

Dr. Pearson is also a member of the Liberal Arts Sustainability Council advisory committee. This lecture will correspond with the college’s theme for the 2022–23 academic year—“Moments of Change: Creating a Livable Planet.”

The theme will bring students, faculty, staff, and alumni together to explore what it means to live through historic and contemporary times of change. This academic year’s theme will focus on the many aspects of sustainability and highlight the ongoing work of the Liberal Arts Sustainability Council, students, faculty, and staff in that regard. Similar to “Remembering 1968” (2018) and “A Century of Women’s Activism” (2020), the college will plan an array of courses, lectures, presentations, and events centered around the “Creating a Livable Planet” theme.