Dr. Neal Sumerlin, professor of chemistry and director of the Belk Observatory, will be a guest speaker at Lynchburg’s first annual “Celebration of Darwin Week,” February 5 – 9.
Darwin Week is the brainchild of Don Manning, a retired engineer who was inspired by a similar event he attended in Charleston, S.C. The goal is to spark a dialogue about evolution through a lecture series by professors from University of Lynchburg, Sweet Briar College, Central Virginia Community College and the Virginia University of Lynchburg.
Dr. Sumerlin will address “The Evolution of the Universe” on Wednesday, February 8, at 4 p.m. at the Lynchburg Public Library Community Room. Other events include:
Sunday:“Very Gradual Change We Can Believe In.” Opening ceremony with remarks by Manning. 10:30 a.m., First Unitarian Church, 818 Court St. on Monument Terrace.
Monday: “Why Do We Care about Evolution – or Do We Care?” Panel discussion featuring Virginia University of Lynchburg professors Curtis Thompson, Monroe Baldwin, James Coleman and Marcy Orr, 3 p.m. at VUL’s Cachelin Library on Dewitt Street.
Tuesday: “Thinking Forward – A Look into the Future of Biology.” Lecture by Len Edelman, biology professor at Central Virginia Community College, 4 p.m. at Forest Library, 15583 Forest Rd.
Wednesday: “The Evolution of the Universe.” Lecture by Dr. Sumerlin.
Thursday: “Did Darwin Create Modern Economics?” Lecture by John McClenon, retired chemistry professor from Sweet Briar College, 4 p.m., Forest Library, 15583 Forest Rd.
All events are free and open to the public.
