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BHSU Honors Program kicks off phenomenal year of Geek Speak lectures

  • 04 September 2019
Tim Steckline presenting his Geek Speak
The Black Hills University Honors Program begins its series of Geek Speak lectures with Dr. Tim Steckline, professor of speech, presenting “Conspiracy Theory Minus the Smirk: The Structural Analysis of Hustles and Hoodwinks” Thursday Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. in Jonas Hall 110.
The Black Hills State University Honors Program begins its series of Geek Speak lectures with Dr. Tim Steckline, professor of speech, presenting “Conspiracy Theory Minus the Smirk: The Structural Analysis of Hustles and Hoodwinks” Thursday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. in Jonas Hall 110.

The Geek Speak series has grown exponentially over the last five years. Starting in 2013 with attendance under 15, the series grew quickly in popularity with both on-and off-campus attendees.

“Now we see anywhere from 40-90 attendees each week, and we have a group of loyal community members who show up, without fail, each week,” Geek Speak coordinator and associate professor of English Dr. Courtney Huse Wika says.

This year, the community, faculty and staff can expect a wide variety of topics including conspiracies, history, music, gaming and more. Every year there is something in the lineup for everyone – it’s what makes the series unique.

Huse Wika adds, “The sheer diversity of topics is exciting.”

The mission at BHSU is to cultivate a dynamic learning environment that fosters critical thinking and creative expression. Huse Wika expresses that the heart of the lecture series truly is a collective curiosity and desire for knowledge.

Lectures are typically held in Jonas Hall Room 110 at 4 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Check the campus calendar at www.BHSU.edu/events for updates.

Here are this academic year’s lectures at a glance:
September
  • 5: Dr. Tim Steckline, professor of speech, Conspiracy Theory Minus the Smirk: The Structural Analysis of Hustles and Hoodwinks
  • 12: Dr. Trenton Ellis, assistant professor of human services, Hungry Jackets: Exploring Food Insecurity on Campus
  • 19: Dr. Jarrett Moore, assistant professor of research and assessment,  Manufacturing (Real)ity
  • 26: Clarissa Thompson, recruitment and retention specialist, Mindful Movement: Campus Yoga and Meditation
October
  • 3: Dr. Andrey Reznikov, professor of English, The Forgotten Founding Father: Noah Webster and His Dictionary
  • 10: Aaron Bauerly, system librarian, Grey Gaming: The Rise of the Antihero
  • 17: Chris Fuchs & Christopher Landauer, Wizard, Fighter, Rogue RPG Design: Community Building Through Gaming
  • 24: Kelly Kirk, director of the Honors Program and instructor of history, Veterans’ Legacies, Veterans’ Impact: The 93rd CTD (College Training Detachment) in the Black Hills
  • 31: Dr. Laura Colmenero-Chilberg, professor of sociology, Trick-or-Treating, Jack-o-Lanterns and Feeding the Dead: How the Ancient Roots of Halloween Connect to Present Day
November
  • 7: Erica Whitiker, assistant director of student union and engagement, Hello. Hey! What Up?!?!: The Subtle Art of Code Switching
  • 14: Dr. Parthasarathi Nag, professor of mathematics, A Brief History of Black Holes
December
  • 5: University Honors Capstone Defenses
January
  • 23: Dr. Tim Steckline, professor of speech, Gates without Walls: An Anarchist’s Appeal for Open Borders
  • 30: Dr. Du-Lu Hsiao, assistant professor of Spanish, Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé: The Story Behind Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games
February
  • 6: TBD
  • 13: Dr. Dan May, assistant professor of mathematics, That Song Changed My Life: The BHSU Community Reflects on the Power of Music
  • 20: Dr. David Berberick, assistant professor of music, School Music vs. Our Music. Why is this a thing and what can we do to change it?
  • 27: Nick Drummond, Hollywood and Politics: Using Movie Scenes & Television Shows to Illustrate a Point
March
  • 5: Dr. Miro Haček, BHSU Fulbright scholar-in-residence and chair of policy analysis and public administration at the University of Ljubljana, Yugoslavia: Heaven? Or hell on Earth?
  • 19: Dr. David Cremean, professor of English, Waco and the Branch Davidians (Re)visited
  • 26: Dr. Max Marc, professor of management information systems, The Breaking of Enigma Code, and a Layperson’s Guide to Cryptography
April: National Poetry Month
  • 2: Dr. Amy Fuqua, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of English, How to Read (and Love!) Poetry
  • 16: Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, associate professor of English, Poetry Workshop I, A Spontaneous Overflow of Powerful Feelings
  • 23: Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, associate professor of English, Poetry Workshop II, A Spontaneous Overflow of Powerful Feelings
  • 30: Open Poetry Reading
To read short descriptions of each lecture topic, visit  http://www.bhsu.edu/GeekSpeak.

For more information, contact Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, associate professor of English, at 605-642-6918 or email Courtney.HuseWika@BHSU.edu
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