The Ina. E. Gordy Honors Forum Series to focus on sports

Julessa Oglen

Managing Editor

This year the Ina E. Gordy Honors College’s spring forum series focuses on one of America’s favorite pastimes — sports. The topics will range from personal experiences to research and psychological effects.

The series begins with Thomas Velek, director of the Gordy Honors College, on Jan. 23 at 6 p.m.in Parkinson Hall. His presentation is entitled, “Lessons from an Obsession: Athletics and the Life Well Lived.” He will be speaking about his own experiences as a child athlete to an award-winning career as a soccer coach.

In February, the focus will center on the integration of sports. There will be a screening and discussion of the well-known movie, “Remember the Titans,” on Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium. The screening will be followed by guest speaker coach Herman Boone, the inspiration behind the movie, on Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in Limbert Assembly. Boone’s presentation is entitled, “Remembering the Titan, Coaching Success.”

In March, the emphasis will be on women in sports. Katharine Kittredge, professor of English at Ithaca College in New York, will present, “My So-Called Sporting Life: What Women Can Gain (and lose) from Playing Sports.” The difficulties she endured to become a college athlete will be revealed on March 2 at 6 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. Olympic medalist, model and author Amanda Beard will be appearing on March 27 to talk about her experiences as a competitive swimmer. Her presentation,” Striving for Excellence: Olympic Success and Real Life Challenges,” will begin at 6 p.m. in Cochran Hall.

The final lecture of the series will come from Dorothy Berglund, MUW psychology professor, on April 3 at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium. She will present, “Ice Flow: Positive Psychology in Coaching and Training Athletes.”

The Honors College Spring Research Symposia will be held April 24 and May 1 at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium. MUW seniors will showcase their honors research final projects and others will present poster projects of their ongoing research.

All presentations are free and open to the public.