The Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Series was the preeminent campus lecture series from 1989 through 2024. The WSU Lyceum Series presented events and presentations for the Winona and Rochester communities that provide unique cultural enrichment and educational opportunities. The Lyceum Series aimed to provide speakers in a variety of topics, such as the sciences, the arts, politics, literature, popular culture, and more. Funding for the Lyceum Series was provided by the WSU Foundation and Student Life fees.
The lecture series continues on in 2025 with new name, the Duran Family Speaker Series. It was renamed in the Fall of 2024.
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Dr. Richard Dawkins: A Lyceum Lecture
Richard Dawkins
On October 12, 1999, Richard Dawkins was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Richard Dawkins spoke in Somsen Auditorium (now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium).
Dawkins was introduced by Dr. Robin DeVinney (formerly Richardson), professor of Biology.
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Noam Chomsky: A Lyceum Lecture
Noam Chomsky
On April 20, 1998, Dr. Noam Chomsky was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Chomsky's lecture was titled New Horizons in the Study of Language.
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Parker Palmer: A Lyceum Lecture
Parker Palmer
On March 31, 1998, Parker Palmer was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Palmer spoke in Somsen Auditorium (now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium).
Parker Palmer was introduced by Jim Reynolds, a professor of sociology.
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Frances Moore Lappe & Paul Martin DuBois: A Lyceum Lecture
Frances Moore Lappe and Paul Martin DuBois
On October 21, 1996, Frances Moore Lappe and Paul Martin DuBois were a speakers for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Their lecture was titled Building Dynamic Democracy Through Community Activism.
The speakers were introduced by Dr. Beckry Abdel-Magid and Margaret Trott.
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Arun Gandhi: A Lyceum Lecture
Arun Gandhi
On September 24, 1996, Arun Manilal Gandhi was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Gandhi spoke in Somsen Auditorium, now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium.
Gandhi was introduced by Dr. Tim Hatfield, a professor of Counselor Education.
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Ellen Price & Judge Margaret Shaw Johnson: A Lyceum Lecture
Ellen Price and Margaret Shaw Johnson
On May 27, 1996, both Judge Margaret Shaw Johnson and Ellen Price were speakers for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. The title of the Lyceum presentation was Building a Better Winona Ending: Domestic Violence. Judge Johnson spoke before Price's presentation, which was in Somsen Auditorium (now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium).
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Sammy Davis Gospel Ensemble: A Lyceum Performance
Sammy Davis Gospel Ensemble
On September January 16, 1996, the Sammy Davis Gospel Ensemble performed for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series.
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Darla Johnson and Andrew Long and Company: A Lyceum Performance
Darla Johnson, Andrew Long, and Johnson/Long Company
On September 23, 1995, Darla Johnson/Andrew Long Company were performers or the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Series. Their presentation was titled Nine Chains to the Man.
The Johnson/Long Company preformance was introduced by Gretchen Cohenour, a professor of Dance.
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Morton Ryweck: A Lyceum Lecture
Morton Ryweck
On October 13, 1993, Morton Ryweck was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Ryweck's presentation was titled Race Relations Today: What We Can Do To Improve Them?
Ryweck was the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Anti-Defamation League of Minnesota and the Dakotas.
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Justice Shirley Abrahamson: A Lyceum Lecture
Shirley Abrahamson
On April 29, 1993, Justice Shirley Abrahamson was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. The title of Abrahamson's presentation is Victims in the Scales of Justice. Abrahamson was the 25th Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the first woman to serve on this court and as a Chief Justice. Abrahamson spoke in Somsen Auditorium (now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium).
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Carol Karlsen: A Lyceum Lecture
Carol F. Karlsen
On November 12, 1992, Dr. Carol Karlsen was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Karlsen's presentation was titled The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Women in New England Witchcraft, The title of her book is The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England (1987).
Karlsen was introduced by Dr. Alex Yard, a professor of History.
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Kurt Vonnegut: A Lyceum Lecture
Kurt Vonnegut
On October 19, 1992, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Kurt Vonnegut spoke in Somsen Auditorium (now known as Harriet Johnson Auditorium).
Kurt Vonnegut, the renowned American author, was known for his satire and dark humor. He wrote novels, short stories, plays, and both fiction and non-fiction.
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Richard Mohr: A Lyceum Lecture
Richard Mohr
On September 29, 1992, Dr. Richard Mohr was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Mohr's presentation was titled Prejudice and Homosexuality.
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Harry Swets: A Lyceum Lecture
Harry Swets
On March 31, 1992 Harry "Hooks" Swets was a speaker for the Winona State University (WSU) Lyceum Speaker Series. Harry Swets worked with the homeless in San Francisco. Swets was part of the Coalition Against Homelessness.
