The University of Utah’s 65th Frederick W. Reynolds Lecture, focused on education and health care concerns for refugees, will take place March 10, 6-8:30 p.m., in the Libby Gardner Concert Hall, 1375 Presidents Circle on the University of Utah campus, and is free and open to the public.
Established in 1936, the Reynolds Lecture was developed for members of the faculty to present important and timely subjects. This year’s lecture is titled, “Seeking Refuge: At Home and Around the World,” and the evening includes a dance performance featuring children of refugee experience, weaving demonstrations, an art exhibit and a panel discussion.
Dancers from the U’s Hartland Partnership will kick off the evening at 6:30 p.m. The dancers include third, fourth and fifth grade students of refugee experience performing their own choreography to lyrics they wrote. The dancers are part of a group organized by assistant dean of the U’s College of Fine Arts Kelby Macintyre Martinez.
The part-lecture, part-panel-discussion will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. and includes Leticia Alvarez Gutierrez, assistant professor in the U’s Department of Education, Culture and Society; Ana Antunes, graduate student in the U’s Department of Education, Culture and Society; Patrick Poulin, executive director of the International Rescue Committee; Tino Nyawelo, research associate at the U’s Center for Science and Math Education; and Jane M. Dyer, from the U’s College of Social Work and College of Nursing.
Each panelist will discuss their research followed by a Q&A session. Topics include socio-economic factors and political milieu affecting migration worldwide, Utah’s role in aiding refugees, and issues of education and health care as they relate to people of refugee background. A number will be available at the event so attendees can text in their questions in real time.
Before and after the lecture, the atrium of Libby Gardner Hall will feature the “New Americans” photography exhibit from the International Rescue Committee, which showcases photos of refugee mothers with their U.S.-born children; an art exhibit from students and faculty at Salt Lake City schools featuring images that capture the Somali community in Salt Lake City; and a weaving exhibit with work done by Karen weavers who are originally from Burma, sought refuge in Thailand and then emigrated to Utah. Their work will be available for purchase via cash or check.
The event is free, but RSVP is required at continue.utah.edu/reynolds. For more information, contact Marianne Nolte at 801-585-6375 or Marianne.Nolte@utah.edu.
