Student Involvement
Death & Burial Practices from Around the World at the Museum of Anthropology
From cremations to burials at sea, each culture has its…
Swaner EcoCenter: Saturday Climbing Wall
Climbing Wall Hours: Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. The Swaner…
Swaner EcoCenter: Beaver - Nuisance or Restoration Partner?
Beaver – Nuisance or Restoration Partner?…
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Common Hour
The Common Hour at Utah State University is a student-based initiative to enhance the intellectual engagement of all Aggies. Every Wednesday from 11:30 to 12:45 the Common Hour open block of time allows access to an array of educational and extracurricular events to be held across campus.
Common Hour events will be conducted by individual colleges, departments, and organizations throughout the year at different locations across campus with ASUSU and the Common Hour committee sponsoring two focal events each semester. Students and faculty are encouraged to use the Common Hour as a time to stretch their conversations beyond the classroom.
Upcoming events can be found on the University Calendar.
We encourage everyone to take advantage of these exciting opportunity and make the most of their college experience!
Jan 30, 2013
Helen Whitney
Location: Performance Hall
Time: 11:30 -12:45
With more than thirty years of experience in filmmaking, Helen Whitney has won awards for her documentary films and dramatic features. She has covered diverse topics ranging from photographer Richard Avedon to Pope John II to youth gangs and more. She produced and directed documentary films "The Mormons" in 2007, "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero" in 2002, "John Paul II: The Millennial Pope" in 1998 and more. She was nominated for an Oscar with her short documentary "First Edition," won an Emmy award for "The Choice '96" and won Outstanding Script for Television Documentary from The Writers Guild of America for "John Paul II: The Millennial Pope" in 2000
April 17, 2013
Elizabeth Smart
Location: TSC Ballroom
Time: 11:30 -12:45
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Elizabeth was abducted on June 5, 2002 and her captors had controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth back to her family on March 12, 2003 after being held prisoner for 9 months. Through this traumatic experience Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs and National legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which lead to conviction. Elizabeth is currently involved in the "Elizabeth Smart Foundation", and she has helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.
Elizabeth's abduction and recovery has motivated and continues to motivate parents, law enforcement and leaders worldwide to focus on children's safety. Emphasizing the vigilance of every day people in finding missing children and the belief that there is always hope and we can never stop searching for each and every missing child. Two years ago, Elizabeth worked with the Department of Justice and four other recovered young adults in creating a survivors guide, entitled – "You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment." This guide is meant to encourage children who have gone through similar experiences to not give up and know that there is life after tragic events.
Elizabeth's example and life now is a daily demonstration that there really is life after a tragic event. Her speech not only tells her story, but also discusses topics such as overcoming extreme adversity and not allowing your past to dictate your life's future.
Past Events
January 16, 2013
Preacher Moss
Location: TSC Ballroom
Time: 11:30 -12:45
End of Rasism: Comedy & Lecture Tour
"Understanding diversity and multiculturalism requires that we eliminate or reduce the anxiety of our ignorance and how to speak honestly when we can't." -Preacher Moss
Preacher Moss is clearly the new prototype for the comedian of these times and the times to come. A writer for "The Damon Wayans Show" and "Saturday Night Live," his comedy stylings are distinguished for being sculptured out of the everyday relevance of life and the rare glimpses of truth we value as reality. He is intellectual, yet humble. He is charismatic and dynamic, but does not have to demand great attention or time because his audiences come to cooperatively listen, laugh and in "special" moments, reflect. Truly this is a rare combination. He is more than a comedian, priding himself on being just a man. Viewed, respected and revered as a man of the people, his words carry life and just as importantly, they carry laughter.
Armed with sincerity, intellect and rare comedic ability, Preacher Moss is the "End of Racism" Comedy and Lecture Tour. "Speaking on Truth," Moss has been playing to the hearts and minds of college students and administrators all over the country. With his insight on "racial understanding vs. racial interaction" he has quickly become the funniest social commentator on the college scene today.
The "End of Racism" is not just the name of the tour, but a commitment that we all share. Preacher moss knows how to deliver the goods on how we see race through race through laughter, respect and the humility of a man who felt the sting of racism for not just blacks, but whites, gays, latinos, as the poor and the underclass of America.
Moss has a notable list of television appearances: NYC Urban Comedy Festival, BET Comicview, Comedy Central, Politically Incorrect, Nightline (ABC), Latino Laugh Festival. He has performed with many artist greats including Maya Angelou, WAR, The Last Poets, Stanley Clarke, George Lopez, Darryl Hammond, Chris Farley, George Wallace, Will Durst, and many more...
October 17, 2012
Gary Langer
Location: TSC Ballroom
Time: 11:30 -12:45
The founder and president of Langer Research Associates, Gary Langer is an internationally recognized public opinion researcher with expertise in analysis of political, policy, economic and social attitudes, questionnaire design, data interpretation, survey methodology and survey management. With more than 25 years in the field, Langer has overseen and analyzed more than 700 surveys on a broad range of topics as director of polling at ABC News.
Langer has won two Emmy awards and received nine Emmy nominations – including the first and only to cite public opinion polls – as well as being honored with the 2010 Policy Impact Award of the American Association for Public Opinion Research for a series of surveys in Afghanistan and Iraq, described in AAPOR's citation as "a stellar example of high-impact public opinion polling at its finest." He's a two- time winner of the University of Iowa-Gallup Award for Excellent Journalism Using Polls, produced a pair of ABC News polls recognized by the Excellence in Media Coverage of Polls Award from the National Council on Public Polls and shared a DuPont-Columbia Award for ABC's 9/11 coverage.
Langer created ABC's industry-leading survey standards and vetting operation and has advanced disclosure initiatives through professional organizations. A frequent speaker, writer and commentator on public attitudes, he's the author of an award-winning blog, the "The Numbers," at ABCNews.com, has authored or co-authored nearly 30 scholarly papers and has given scores of invited presentations on the meaning and measurement of public opinion.
Langer is a member of the Board of Directors of the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, a trustee of the National Council on Public Polls and past president of the New York chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he lives in New York with his wife and two daughters.
September 12, 2012
Spencer West
Location: TSC Ballroom
Time: 11:30 -12:45
Book signing to follow 1:00-2:00
www.facebook.com/events/188897031243290/
Inspirational and charismatic, Spencer West speaks candidly about the struggles he overcame after losing his legs at the age of five. He speaks about overcoming stereotyping and bullying, about finding meaning and happiness in a material world and how he never lost the hope or courage needed to mount personal obstacles. Infused with humour and humility, his thought-provoking message inspires people to find opportunity in every challenge. With every speech, Spencer leaves an indelible mark on his audiences, instilling hope and strong leadership so that they can inspire others to create positive change.
In 2008, Spencer travelled to Kenya on an international volunteer trip where he helped build a school in a rural community in the Maasai Mara. On this trip, he met young people who strive to overcome challenges every day. He credits this experience for helping him recognize his true calling to motivate and inspire people around the world.
Last year, Kenya experienced its worst drought in 60 years, and its effects are still being felt. In its time of need, Spencer decided to give back in his own unique way by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. His extraordinary feat attracted worldwide media attention, including CTV, CBS, the Telegraph, People Magazine and the BBC. With the world watching, Spencer successfully reached the summit of Kilimanjaro, raising over $500,000 (and counting!) to bring sustainable clean water projects in communities affected by the drought. Once again, he had redefined possible.
Since he began speaking, Spencer has reached millions of people including students, educators, corporations, college/universities, faith-based groups and families with his encouraging words. He captivated audiences of tens of thousands at We Day events with his keynote address, which was featured nationally on CTV. Spencer has shared the stage with such influential people as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Jane Goodall, former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, Mia Farrow, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Betty Williams and Elie Wiesel, and his musical idol Jason Mraz.