Purdue University North Central will continue its popular Brownbag Series on Diversity and Books & Coffee in the coming months. Both discussion series feature PNC faculty, staff and community members leading programs of interest. All events are free and open to the public. 
The Brownbag Series on Diversity presents topics and issues that can contribute to the development of tolerant, inclusive campus and community cultural practices. Some presenters will feature short film clips or interactive pieces that will stimulate conversation and discussion, others will present ideas for open dialogue and sharing of views and experiences.
The seminars are presented in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Room 170A, located just off the PNC cafeteria, from noon to 1 p.m. Guests may bring their lunch. Varying opinions are welcome. Upcoming speakers are:
Feb. 24 - Pat Carlisle will talk about "Fighting Isms: From Words to Action" as she explains how to become actively involved in "making a difference that makes a difference" by addressing the various "isms" that confronted us. Carlisle asks that participants be ready to share experiences and offer suggestions for action. Carlisle was special assistant to the chancellor responsible for Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action when she retired from PNC in January, 2009 after spending 44 years in higher education. She was an advocate for society's "non-traditional," including women, low-income, first generation college students, individuals with disabilities and minorities. In January, 2009 she was recognized by Purdue University with a Dreamer Award in "recognition and appreciation of your embodiment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision of service to others and furthering Purdue University's commitment to diversity." She serves on the Duneland Economic Development Company Board, Bradley Center Community Relations Board, Duneland Health and Wellness Institute Member's Advisory Council and is a consultant to the PNC College of Science Interdisciplinary Research Center.
March 24 - Sarah White, PNC visiting assistant professor of English Composition, and Heather Fielding, PNC, assistant professor of English, present "Diversity in Online Teaching." They note that when students and teacher meet in a bricks-and-mortar classroom, differences in race, gender, ethnicity, age and class often are visually apparent. They will address what happens to diversity in an online environment, when students and teachers no longer see each other and how diversity manifests itself in such a forum. They will explore how online education can deepen opportunities for diversity by providing new modes of recognition and expression.
White has extensive experience with online and hybrid teaching at PNC and other institutions. Fielding taught one of the first online-only writing courses at the Harvard University Extension School.
April 15 - Carla A. Pfeffer, assistant professor of Sociology, will present findings from her research interviews with female partners of transgender and transsexual men from the U.S. and Canada. She will discuss what it means to be transgender or transsexual, the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity and the social and legal strengths and challenges these women face in their relationships. Pfeffer's research has been recognized by the American Council of Learned Societies, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Sexualities Section of the American Sociological Association. Her work has been published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, Journal of Lesbian Studies, Group Processes & Intergroup Relations and the Journal of Homosexuality.
Further information about the series can be obtained by contacting Bob Mellin, continuing lecturer of English at (219) 785-5200, ext. 5215. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Mellin.
The Books & Coffee series feature a review of a book of current interest, followed by a discussion period. The books being reviewed are available for purchase from the PNC Bookstore. Each Books & Coffee session is from noon to about 12:45 p.m. Upcoming selections include:
Feb. 17 - Library-Student-Faculty Building, Assembly Hall, Room 02 - "The Culture of Fear," by Barry Glassner, will be reviewed by Dr. Jeff Shires, associate professor of Communication.
March 17 - Technology Building Room 134 - "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking," by Malcolm Gladwell, will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Anne Christo-Baker, assistant professor of Organizational Leadership and Supervision.
April 21 - Library-Student-Faculty Building, Assembly Hall, Room 02 - "Homeland Insecurity: the Arab American and Muslim American Experience after 9/11," will be discussed by its author Dr. Louise Cainkar, of Marquette University.
Additional information about Books and Coffee may be obtained by contacting Dr. Deepa Majumdar, associate professor of Philosophy at (219) 785-5200 ext. 5693 or dmajumda@pnc.edu. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact Majumdar.