The Distinguished Scholars Lecture Series provides a venue to interact with distinguished scholars in different fields. The series spotlights different academic connections to social justice (such as history, social sciences, economics, politics, environment) and provides an opportunity for students to hear from leaders in their field. Past Donahue Scholars are listed below.
Lee Ann De Reus: “Daring to Make a Difference: Activism, Congo and Finding Your Voice for Global Change”
Lee Ann De Reus, Ph.D., is the co-founder of Panzi Foundation USA and an Associate Professor of Human Development & Family Studies and Women Studies at Pennsylvania State University-Altoona. As a scholar-activist, she travels regularly to Panzi Hospital in eastern DR Congo to conduct research, develop programs for rape survivors, and inform her advocacy work in the U.S. She also co-leads an annual field experience for PSU students to Rwanda. Dr. De Reus is a 2009 Carl Wilkens Fellow and a featured activist in John Prendergast's book, The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa's Worst Human Rights Crimes. A guest blogger for Women Under Siege and frequent guest speaker about the crisis in the DRC, her 2013 presentations include TEDxPSU, Daring to Make a Difference for Congo, and the Oslo Freedom Forum, A Different Kind of Warfare.
Nadinne Cruz: “Education to Change the World: A Call to Engagement by a Loyal Critic of Service”
Nadinne Cruz is a pioneering leader in community-based learning. She has served as a practitioner, leader, advocate, speaker, consultant and author on the need for pedagogies of engagement in higher education.
Thomas Patterson: “Corruption of Information: Why We're Getting Dumber, and What Can Be Done About It”
Thomas Patterson is Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press at the Kennedy School at Harvard University.
Kenneth V. Hardy: “Race: Why does it (still) have us walking on egg-shells?”
Dr. Hardy is an internationally recognized clinician, author, and Trainer. He is also the Director of the Eikenberg Institute for Relationships in New York City where he maintains a private practice specializing in working with traumatized and oppressed populations.
Sonia Nazario: “Enrique’s Journey”
A graduate from Williams College with a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, Sonia Nazario is well-known writer who has been discussing social issues in her work for close to twenty years.
Eva Millona: “Immigration Integration in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Challenges and Barriers”
Eva Millona is an Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA).
Liz Walker: “Leading with Courage: Lessons from Sudan”
Liz Walker is an award-winning television journalist, a documentary film producer, an entrepreneur, and a humanitarian currently working in the war-torn country of Sudan.
Darnell Williams: “Leadership, Power, and People”
Darnell Williams is President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization providing services and programs in education, career and personal development and employment for African-Americans and other residents of color.
2anet Larsen: “Time for Plan B-Mobilizing to Save Civilization”
Janet Larsen is the Director of Research at the Earth Policy Institute.
Hugo Kamya & Jay King: “Bridging Cultural Borders of Difference”
Hugo Kamya is a Professor at the Simmons College School of Social Work. Dr. Jay King is an active member of the American Family Therapy Academy and a founding member of the Boston Institute of Culturally Affirming Practice.
Howard Zinn: “Civil Liberties in War Time”
Howard Zinn was an American historian, author, playwright, and social activist.
Callie Crossley: “Do Politics Matter?”
Callie Crossley is an American broadcast journalist and radio presenter in the Boston area.