Fairfield University's Open VISIONS Forum announces the 2009-2010 season | Press Releases

Fairfield University's Open VISIONS Forum (OVF), a popular lecture series presented by University College, has a stimulating and intriguing line-up of speakers planned for the 2009-2010 season. OVF is part of Fairfield University's Arts & Minds season of cultural and intellectual offerings.

This season is dedicated to the memory of Dr. John Orman, Fairfield University professor of politics and a loyal friend, supporter and contributor to Open VISIONS Forum.

In announcing the season, Dr. Philip Eliasoph, OVF director, emphasized the importance of the personal connections OVF provides, "This series has helped the University develop a group of loyal and intellectually inquisitive friends that continues to grow. It has enabled us to solidify important community partnerships that share our goals and it has strengthened our on campus interdisciplinary relationships. Open VISIONS proves over and over that curiosity and a hunger for learning is a common thread we all share. The topics we address by choosing our roster of speakers, invite interactivity and contemplation. With the popularity of new media like Twitter, Facebook, and Hulu on the rise for instant information, we remain steadfast in our belief in the role of live, public discussions about our national and global citizenship."

Fairfield University's strategic vision stresses the importance of "integration" as a way of approaching education. This year, the Fairfield community has selected three areas on which to focus major academic and cultural enrichment programming: Latin America - Images, Dialogue and Action (LA); The R&J Project: Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" (RJ); Communities in Action: A year of activism (CA). OVF events that correspond to a particular focus are indicated with abbreviations.

The series begins at the Quick Center for the Arts on Wednesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. with pre-eminent archaeologist and internationally acclaimed expert on painted cave art, Jean Clottes. Dr. Clottes will speak on "The Cave Paintings of Chauvet." The Fairfield Museum and History Center partners with Art History in the Fairfield University Department of Visual and Performing Arts and OVF in presenting this fascinating lecture.

The series continues with the following speakers:

Wednesday, September 30 at 8 p.m.
Campbell Brown , CNN anchor, offers an insider's view "Behind the Headlines: In Front of the News"

Thursday, October 8 at 8 p.m.
Khaled Hosseini , the internationally acclaimed author of "The Kite Runner" speaks on the war zone and articulates "The Voices of Afghanistan." He is the 2009 Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecturer and appears through the Collegial Partnership of the Office of the Dean of Freshman.

Monday, October 26 at 8 p.m. (LA)
Junot Díaz , Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" lends his expertise as a voice with global perspective. The Program in Latin American Studies is a Collegial Partner.

Wednesday, November 4 at 8 p.m., Barone Campus Center-Oak Room
David Plouffe , campaign manager for Barack Obama's primary and general election victories in 2008, is the author of "The Audacity to Win." He will speak and sign books at this special event. Admission is $15.

Monday, November 9 at 8 p.m.
Niall Ferguson , well known to PBS audiences through the series developed from his bestselling book "The Ascent of Money," offers his valuable insight into Wall Street to Main Street. Funded in part by the Patrick J. Waide, Jr. Fund for Ethics and Public Policy

Tuesday, February 16 at 8 p.m. (LA) - Admission Free
Christopher Dodd, Connecticut's United States Senator speaks on "The Future of U.S. Latin American Relations." The Program in Latin American Studies is a Collegial Partner.

Wednesday, April 21 at 8 p.m.
The Ignatian Lecture ignites an electric debate on "The Question of God" with bestselling author Christopher Hitchens ("God is Not Great") and Georgetown University Senior Fellow in Science & Religion John Haught. The speakers will present individual viewpoints on the topic. Westport Magazine/Moffly Media is a Community Partner.

Eliasoph reiterated, "The essence of the Open VISIONS series is the personal growth derived from academic enlightenment through the public forum of ideas. We continue the Greek sense of public space, the 'agora' - a marketplace of freely expressed ideas and opinions. Please come and join us to keep these conversations alive."

A series ticket for all six lectures is $243 and single tickets are $45. They are available now at fairfield.edu/openvisions or through the Quick Center Box Office at (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 1-877-ARTS-396.