Parker J. Palmer, world-renowned author, activist, and founder of the Center for Courage & Renewal, will speak as part of the Kent State University Guest of Honor University Artist/Lecture Series on Tuesday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the African Community Theater located in Ritchie Hall.
Palmer is the author of nine books including best-selling and award-winning titles Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness, and Healing the Heart of Democracy.
His lecture will focus on his latest book, Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit, which explores the “five habits of the heart” he names as essential to dealing with the political tensions that exist in modern American life.
Apart from being featured as part of the Guest of Honor University/Artist Lecture Series, Palmer’s lecture will serve as a precursor to the 2014 Symposium on Democracy scheduled to be held in April.
Palmer holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley as well as eleven honorary doctorates, two Distinguished Achievement Awards from the National Educational Press Association, and an Award of Excellence from the Associated Church Press.
In 2011, Parker was named an Utne Reader Visionary for being one of "25 people who are changing your world.” In 2010, he received the William Rainey Harper Award whose previous recipients include Margaret Mead, Elie Wiesel, and Paolo Freire. In 1998, Dr. Palmer was named one of the thirty “most influential senior leaders” in higher education by the Leadership Project, a national survey of 10,000 educators.
A reception and book signing will follow the lecture. Copies of Palmer’s latest book may be purchased on site.
This event, sponsored by the Office of the Provost and coordinated by the Honors College, is free and open to the public. For questions about the event or for special accommodations for accessibility, please contact the Honors College at 330-672-2312 or honors@kent.edu.