Lectures & Presentations

The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:13:40 +0000

The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/20/2026 - 11:13

As the United States Constitution approaches its 250th anniversary, the Centennial State Colorado marks 150 years since the adoption of its own constitution.

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Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:40:06 +0000

Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11 Megan M Rogers Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:40

Attend the 2026 Arts and Sciences Honors Program Distinguished Lecture Series on March 11.

The College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program is thrilled to welcome Tom Cech, distinguished professor of biochemistry and Nobel Laureate in chemistry, as this spring's featured speaker. In his presentation, "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution", Cech will discuss the extraordinary power of RNA.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: "The Magic of RNA: New Medicines, Immortality, and the Power to Control Evolution"
When: Wednesday, March 11, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gold Biosciences Building, Gold Auditorium (A2B70)

Since the 1960’s, RNA has been understood as the messenger for the code of life stored in the DNA double helix. Decades of research on messenger RNA allowed the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines to be developed in record time in 2020, putting the brakes on the viral pandemic. But RNA is so much more than a simple messenger—it is an active participant in the chemistry of life.

In his talk, Cech will explore some of RNA’s magical powers and stories that are recounted in his recent book "The Catalyst."

Arrive at 5 p.m. for a seat and a slice of pizza! The talk will start at 5:30 p.m. No RSVP is required, and everyone including community partners outside of CU are welcome to attend.

The honors program has partnered with �鶹ӰԺ Bookstore to offer copies of Cech’s books for purchase at the event, but you are also welcome to bring your own copy. A book signing will follow the talk at the entrance to the auditorium.

Provost Ann Stevens will say a few remarks and will introduce Cech.

Attend this Arts and Sciences Honors Program Distinguished Lecture featuring Tom Cech and learn about the magic of RNA.

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Rescheduled: Author of 'The New Jim Crow' to speak at CU �鶹ӰԺ Feb. 25

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:00:23 +0000

Rescheduled: Author of 'The New Jim Crow' to speak at CU �鶹ӰԺ Feb. 25 Megan M Rogers Thu, 02/05/2026 - 11:00

Editor's note: Michelle Alexander's Nov. 5 talk was postponed and will now be held Feb. 25. All originally purchased tickets remain valid.

Best-selling author and civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander will speak at CU �鶹ӰԺ at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb 25. The event will take place at the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom and tickets are available now.

Tickets will be $2 for students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $10 for the general public. The event is sponsored by CU �鶹ӰԺ’s student-run Cultural Events Board (CEB). Ticket prices don't include processing fees.

Perhaps best known for her 2010 bestseller "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," Alexander's career spans law, academia, advocacy and journalism. She has served as a civil rights lawyer, taught law at Stanford and Ohio State, and continues to write on issues of justice as an opinion columnist for The New York Times.

More from the Cultural Events Board on Alexander:

Why did the board choose Michelle Alexander to speak at CU?

We selected Michelle Alexander because she stands at the intersection of civil liberties and media literacy. These are two themes that CEB felt the CU community would benefit from learning more about.

Her book, "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness," explores systemic racism in the American prison system, national conversations on systemic racism, criminal justice reform and the continuing impact of racial inequality. As a civil rights lawyer, legal scholar, advocate and writer, Alexander speaks directly to the challenges of due process, the criminalization of activism and the biases embedded in legal and media systems.

Alexander has the ability to connect pressing cultural and legal issues with the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Her work critically examines the ways media and policy shape the collective understanding of civil liberties. We believe her insights will challenge and inspire CU students to think deeply about equity, solidarity and truth in our society.

What about her work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

Her insights will resonate with CU students who are navigating questions about systemic inequality, misinformation and the role of media in shaping public understanding. CU students will benefit from her perspective on how narratives—whether legal, political or digital—can reinforce oppression or foster solidarity.

�鶹ӰԺ the Cultural Events Board

The Cultural Events Board is composed of student leaders and aims to broaden cultural knowledge by supporting the voices of underrepresented and misrepresented groups on campus, thereby promoting student engagement with their platforms. The Cultural Events Board encourages opportunities for interaction among students resulting in respect, appreciation and understanding for cultural differences.

Past CEB speakers have included award-winning singer, dancer and actress Rita Moreno; South African-born comedian and commentator Trevor Noah; comedian and commentator Hasan Minhaj; former Ohio Governor John Kasich; Olympic gymnast and author Aly Raisman; Academy Award-winner Viola Davis; acclaimed actress, author and activist Diane Guerrero.

If you go

Who: Open to the public
What: An Evening With Michelle Alexander
When: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Where: UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom

Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $2 for students, $5 for faculty/staff and $10 for the general public.

Get Your Tickets

Michelle Alexander's Nov. 5 talk was postponed and will now be held Feb. 25. All originally purchased tickets remain valid.

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'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19

Megan M Rogers — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:44:19 +0000

'Do Deportations Help or Hurt the Economy?' A talk Feb. 19 Megan M Rogers Thu, 02/05/2026 - 09:44

Using data from past deportation campaigns alongside new findings from 2025, Associate Professor Chloe East will examine whether deportations actually improve outcomes for United States-born workers and the broader economy, as well as changes in ICE activity both in Colorado and nationwide.

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'Beyond Preservation: Rehumanizing the University from the Inside Out' Feb. 18

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:08:45 +0000

'Beyond Preservation: Rehumanizing the University from the Inside Out' Feb. 18 Megan M Rogers Tue, 02/03/2026 - 09:08

Join the next free �鶹ӰԺTalks presentation, where visiting expert Randy Bass of Georgetown University will talk about how universities can navigate transformative change.

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Researcher addresses the challenges of species survival—join Feb. 17

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:36:08 +0000

Researcher addresses the challenges of species survival—join Feb. 17 Megan M Rogers Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:36

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

In his Distinguished Research Lecture, CU �鶹ӰԺ Professor Dan Doak will address the question, "What can we do that will actually help species survive?"

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CU �鶹ӰԺ Federal Governance and Higher Education series to return Feb. 19

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:26:18 +0000

CU �鶹ӰԺ Federal Governance and Higher Education series to return Feb. 19 Megan M Rogers Mon, 01/26/2026 - 11:26

Join a panel discussion, "Will American Higher Education Remain Global? International Scholars, International Students, and the Federal Government."

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Know before you go: Three Minute Thesis Jan. 29

Megan M Rogers — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:46:08 +0000

Know before you go: Three Minute Thesis Jan. 29 Megan M Rogers Mon, 01/26/2026 - 07:46

Join this annual event, which showcases graduate students' ability to distill their nine-hour thesis down to three minutes. See the speakers, their topics and more.

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'Life at the bottom of the world'—A talk by Diane McKnight Feb. 5

Megan M Rogers — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:57:45 +0000

'Life at the bottom of the world'—A talk by Diane McKnight Feb. 5 Megan M Rogers Fri, 01/23/2026 - 12:57

Hosted by INSTAAR, this 75th anniversary seminar will feature Distinguished Professor Diane McKnight discussing her 27-plus field seasons in Antarctica. There will also be refreshments and a student poster showcase.

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Join an afternoon with StoryCorps founder Dave Isay Feb. 25

Megan M Rogers — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:33:23 +0000

Join an afternoon with StoryCorps founder Dave Isay Feb. 25 Megan M Rogers Tue, 01/20/2026 - 08:33

Discover what it means to find work that truly matters at the Buffs One Read speaker event with StoryCorps founder Dave Isay. Registration is open.

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Lectures & Presentations

The Colorado Constitution at 150 and why it matters—a lecture Feb. 25

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Nobel Laureate Tom Cech to give distinguished lecture March 11

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Rescheduled: Author of 'The New Jim Crow' to speak at CU �鶹ӰԺ Feb. 25

Why did the board choose Michelle Alexander to speak at CU?

What about her work and career will connect with and intrigue CU students?

�鶹ӰԺ the Cultural Events Board

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