Spend a Day with Darwin and Fellow Grinnellians
at the San Diego Natural History Museum
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009
8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
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Presentation:
Religion, Evolution, and Education in the US
This November, spend the day with fellow alumni, parents, and friends at the San Diego Natural History Museum for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the life and work of Charles Darwin.
Dr. Michael W. Hager ’65, President and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the Office of College and Alumni Relations cordially invite you to connect with Grinnellians in an animated and intellectual environment where you will revisit Darwin and re-examine evolution. In addition to an exclusive private tour of the Darwin exhibition—featuring some of Darwin’s most personal items—¬and lunch at The Prado Restaurant located in the heart of historic Balboa Park, the all-day affair will include lectures by Grinnell faculty members Jackie Brown (biology) and Tyler Roberts (religious studies).
“The lecture format, which I believe is a wonderful touch to an already stimulating day, will allow alumni to pose more questions after having seen the exhibit,” remarks Dr. Hager.
“DARWIN: Evolution|Revolution,” the museum’s upcoming exhibition, was developed by the American Museum of Natural History and examines Darwin’s innovating theory of evolution by natural selection. The exhibition commemorates the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species—one of the most controversial scientific books of our time.
Professor Brown’s lecture, “Food, Sex, and the Origin of Species,” will discuss how Darwin’s metaphors of the ‘Great Tree of Life’ and the ‘Entangled Bank’ have influenced modern biologists’ studies of the history and origin of biodiversity, including the research Brown himself performs with Grinnell undergraduate student collaborators. Professor Roberts' lecture, "Religion, Evolution, and Education in the U.S.," will address how the theory of evolution has shaped the way we understand the difference between religion and science. Roberts will speak to the most recent debates over intelligent design being taught in our schools and will tackle the prevailing question, “Is it possible to believe in a God that creates everything, and also accepts the theory of evolution?”
After hosting an extremely successful 2007 alumni event in conjunction with a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, Dr. Hager knew that a Darwin exhibition would be a thought-provoking and inspiring topic for Grinnellians, as he remembers the Grinnellian trait of “absorbing themselves in controversial issues.” Dr. Hager believes the event will appeal to liberal arts alumni as science, religion, theology, and humanities are incorporated throughout the exhibition.
– Rachel Whitfield ‘10
Tyler Roberts, professor of religious studies, earned an A.B. from Brown University, and M.T.S. and Th.D. degrees from Harvard Divinity School. He was elected Chair of the Humanities Division for academic years 2005-06 and 2006-07. He teaches courses at Grinnell on major western religions, modern religious thought, religion and politics in the United States, and theory and method in the study of religion. His research concentrates on the changing shape of religion in modern western culture.
Jackie Brown, professor of biology, earned a Ph.D. in 1989 from Michigan State University, and completed post-doctoral work at Cornell and Bucknell Universities. His research considers the ecological context of speciation in insects, and since 1995 he has taught courses at Grinnell in ecology, evolution, behavior, and the history of biology.
Jayn Bailey '05
Office of College and Alumni Relations
733 Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112-1690
(866) 850-1846
fax (641) 269-4313