Middbrief: McCardell, Root offer last lecture

On April 27 and May 6, the “Last Lecture” series will present Professor of Biology Tom Root and President Emeritus of the College John M. McCardell, with an opportunity to impart their wisdom to the College community.

Evan Masseau ’11, who started the “Last Lecture Series” last year, is excited to continue the program this year, and hopes to hold more last lectures in the 2010-2011 academic year too.

“Last year, we hosted the first lecture by John Elder, which was a big hit,” said Masseau. “Students really seem to enjoy the break from the usual classroom setting and the opportunity to hear an informal advice and opinions from professors that we usually interact with in formal and academic settings.”

Root is a professor of biology in the Neuroscience Department. Root began teaching at Middlebury in the fall of 2005. Root has taught courses in invertebrate biology, animal behavior, animal physiology, neurology and neural disorders. Although Root’s research focuses on the neural control of behavior in invertebrates, he has guided students through research in all types of animals.

I’m excited to hear Tom Root speak because so far most of the lectures I’ve heard from other universities were from humanities professors, who traditionally address the sorts of philosophical questions the Last Lecture series gets at ... I think he will bring a different perspective to his talk,” said Masseau.

In his lecture, Root hopes “to communicate how a life-long fascination with living things can enrich one’s life, pose important questions about ourselves and lead to a better understanding and appreciation of the world.”

Root will draw upon material from courses he has taught on animals, behavior neuroscience and various Winter Term courses to highlight the “patterns and randomness in nature” that can help others better understand “the patterns and randomness of life.”

John McCardell served as president of the College from 1992–2004. McCardell initially joined the Middlebury faculty in 1976 as a professor of history. During his time at Middlebury, McCardell served as dean for Academic Development and Planning, dean of the faculty, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs before becoming college president.

McCardell has continued to teach courses in U.S. history even after retiring from the college presidency. In 2007, McCardell founded Choose Responsibility, a non-profit organization dedicated to public education about lowering the drinking age to 18.

McCardell leaves Middlebury to become president of Sewanee: The University of the South, located in Tennessee, starting July 1. He will also step down from his position as president of Choose Responsibility on June 30 and will be replaced by a founding board member of the organization.

Because McCardell is leaving Middlebury, the talk “will in fact be a valedictory speech for him,” noted Masseau.
Root will speak on April 27 at 7:30 P.M. in the Johnson Memorial Building, Room 304. President Emeritus John McCardell will speak on May 6 at 7:30 P.M. in Mead Memorial Chapel.