"Georg Cantor: Life and Infinity”
John Livermore, assistant professor of mathematics

The Manlius Library: Dec. 6, 2011
Cazenovia Public Library: Feb. 21, 2012

Cantor is considered the founder of modern set theory and has made many significant contributions to mathematics.  Cantor’s set is one of the truly bizarre mathematical objects that people always find shocking.  Cantor suffered from severe mental health problems his entire life; were those problems caused by his insights into infinity? 

John Livermore has taught fundamentals of mathematics, college algebra, pre-calculus and calculus at Cazenovia College since 2008.  He received an associate in science degree in business administration from Morrisville State College; a bachelor of science degree in secondary education at SUNY Cortland; a master of science degree in mathematics; and a master of science degree in teaching and curriculum in mathematics at Syracuse University.

"The Challenge of the 20th Century: W.E.B. DuBois’s Fight for Racial Equality" Tim McLaughlin, professor of history; and Christine Ward, student

The Manlius Library: Sept. 13, 2011
Cazenovia Public Library: Thursday, Dec 1, 2011

This presentation examines the evolution of W.E.B. DuBois as a scholar and civil rights activist in the context of the African American struggle for racial equality. We explore how DuBois undertook to define this struggle and place it into a global context reflected in his famous statement that “the problem of the 20th Century is the problem of the color-line.”

Professor McLaughlin has taught history and interdisciplinary social science courses at Cazenovia College since 1983. He currently teaches courses in African, African Diaspora, and African-American history and culture. He has spent considerable time overseas, including conducting research in Britain and South Africa. His most recent writings were a book review of Reconsidering Roosevelt on Race by Kevin McMahon published in Congress & the Presidency and an analysis of student retention at Cazenovia College presented at the National Symposium on Student Retention. Administratively, he serves as Dean of the Cazenovia College First Year Program and Associate Dean of the Faculty. He also directs the College’s General Education Program, chairs the Student Observation, Assessment and Response (SOAR) committee, and serves as a member of the College’s senior leadership team.

Christine Ward is a junior at Cazenovia College majoring in Inclusive Elementary Education with a minor in International Studies. She grew up in Canajoharie, N.Y., and received an Advanced Regents Diploma from Canajoharie High School in 2009. Christine has always been interested in education and has wanted to be an elementary teacher for her entire life. The interest in International Studies came from an exchange experience with AFS Intercultural Programs to Tres Rios, Costa Rica in the summer of 2007.

While at Cazenovia College, Christine has participated in a variety of activities both intellectual and interest based. She is a resident advisor, member of the Education Club, involved in two honor societies, is a certified peer leader, a student tutor, master student, and a member of the golf team. Christine also works at the Cazenovia Children’s House gaining more experience for her future career. Christine’s goals include graduating from Cazenovia College in 2013, teaching in an elementary school, receiving her master’s degree in education, curriculum, or student development, and continuing to broaden the minds of America’s youth.

"To Think Where We Live: Raymond Williams' Work on Culture, Politics and Technology”
Andrew Ó Baoill, assistant professor of Communication Studies

The Manlius Library: March 13, 2012
Cazenovia Public Library: April 10, 2012

Raymond Williams was a founding figure in the British Cultural Studies tradition, a movement that challenged how we understand culture, and which probed the relationships between culture, politics, and society. Williams provided some important analysis of the television industry, and how that medium fits into our lives. What would Williams have to teach us as we enter the digital age? This lecture will provide some background on Williams and his work, examine the concept of 'mobile privatization' as developed by Williams, and move to use Williams' work as a tool for examining contemporary technological and cultural shifts.
 
Dr. Ó Baoill holds a PhD in Communications from the University of Illinois, where he studied at the Institute of Communications Research. His research focuses on the interplay of media, technological change and public participation, and draws on the political economic and critical traditions. Founder of one of Ireland's first college radio stations, he has professional experience in a range of sectors, from community radio to telecommunications and media regulation. 

“Drinks for 9 Million: Water’s 100-mile journey from the Catskill Mountains to New York City”
Thad Yorks, associate professor of Environmental Science

Cazenovia Public Library: March 13, 2012
The Manlius Library: April 10, 2012

New York City’s Water Supply System uses massive reservoirs, tunnels, and aqueducts to provide over a billion gallons of water to nine million people each day. Even more impressive is that this water travels hundreds of feet underground, from up to 100 miles from the city, and much of the current system was constructed over a century ago.
 
Thad Yorks is an associate professor in the Environmental Studies Program.  His teaching and research interests include forest, wetland, and aquatic ecology.  He is also fascinated by colossal civil engineering projects and the technology, human ingenuity, and amount of labor used to complete them.