University and Nashville Public Library partner for lunchtime lecture series

For the first time, the University and the Nashville Public Library are teaming up to bring lunchtime learning to the new Main Library on Church Street. Lunch, catered by Vanderbilt neighbor Provence Breads and Café, will be provided free of charge to those attending the lectures, which are described by series developers as "conversations with a philosophical flavor."

"Thinking Out of the 'Lunch' Box," a series of Wednesday lectures, begins March 13 with a discussion on "Joy in Everyday Life" led by Volney P. Gay, professor and chair of religious studies and professor of psychiatry. For the series, lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. in the library's Conference Center, followed by a lecture at noon. Time will be allowed for questions, to be facilitated by Professor of Philosophy David Wood, who developed the idea for the series. Because of space restrictions, reservations are required and can be made by calling 322-5252.

"The new library is, in many respects, the 'university of downtown.' So we are very excited to join with them in bringing interesting and provocative speakers to the many people who can't make it to our campus," said Michael J. Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs. "It's a great partnership, and we expect that there are many people who would like to expand their thinking with discussions such as these."

Donna Nicely, library director, agrees that the partnership is a natural fit and that the library -- as the cultural and intellectual center of downtown -- is a perfect setting for the series.

"With our wonderful new facility, we are better able than ever to host community events and are pleased to partner with Vanderbilt to bring this exciting new learning opportunity to Nashville residents and the many people who work downtown every day. This is exactly the kind of thing that we want downtown, and just the sort of learning experience that has been missing," Nicely said.

The series will continue through April and May, then resume in the fall.

The second lecture in the series will feature Diane Perpich, assistant professor of philosophy and women's studies, who will discuss "Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice: Contemporary Debates About Gender and Identity" on April 3.

On May 1, Beth Conklin, Vanderbilt associate professor of anthropology and religious studies, will deliver a lecture titled "Is Eating People Always Wrong? Compassionate Cannibalism." This lecture is based on Conklin's studies of the Wari, a group of people native to the Amazon rainforest who, until the 1960s, practiced two forms of cannibalism centered on wartime and funereal rituals.