Geek Speak

Where Curiosity Meets Scholarship

BHSU's Geek Speak Lecture Series ignites minds with thought-provoking academic exploration.

Geek Speak Overview

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, the Geek Speak Lecture Series at Black Hills State University has become a cornerstone of intellectual exploration. This free, public series embodies the University Honors Program's commitment to academic excellence and community building, providing a platform where faculty and invited guests share their expertise with students and community members alike.

The Geek Speak series creates a unique learning environment where academic boundaries dissolve, allowing for fresh perspectives and enlightening discussions. Each presentation offers attendees the opportunity to discover something new and engage with topics they might never encounter elsewhere. Faculty presenters share their passion and expertise, while audiences from both campus and community contribute to vibrant post-lecture conversations.

The series takes place on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. in Jonas Hall 110. All lectures are free and open to the public.

Join us to embrace your inner geek and engage with ideas that transcend disciplinary boundaries!

Past Lecture Highlights

  • Cultural Traditions: Dr. Laura Colmenero-Chilberg's "Trick-or-Treating, Jack-o-Lanterns, and Feeding the Dead: How the Ancient Roots of Halloween Connect to Present Day"
  • Philosophy: Dr. Ryan Clark's "You Don't Have Free Will (and why that's OK)"Linguistics: Dr. Andrey Reznikov's "What Is Language? A Linguist's Explanation of Human, Verbal Communication"
  • International Studies: Dr. Rudia W. Kihura's "The Nation of Kenya - Ethnic Groups"
  • Creative Gaming: Karl Lehman's series on boutique role-playing games in the classroom
  • Environmental Issues: Yukari Tadano's "Risks of Confusing Safety with Security: Lessons from the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster"
  • Arts & Culture: Dr. Du-Lu Hsiao's "'Carmen' by Georges Bizet: The Myth of the Free and Independent Woman"
  • Healthcare: Naomi Jacobson's "Healthcare Literacy and Empowerment"
  • Economics: Dr. Kyle Kopplin's "How is That Economics?"