Four brief talks by College Professors of Distinction at the University of Colorado at Boulder will highlight a Dec. 8 event honoring the four professors who were the first to be recognized with the new honorary title.
The free, public event will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Wolf Law Building rooms 205 and 207. A reception will follow the talks in Boettcher Hall, also in the law building.
The talks will be given by Professors Mark Ablowitz of applied mathematics, Robert Schulzinger of history and international affairs, Michael Tooley of philosophy and Thomas Veblen of geography, who were named College Professor of Distinction by the College of Arts and Sciences in spring 2006. They were recognized for their exceptional service, teaching and research or creative work.
Veblen and Schulzinger will speak from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Veblen on "Fire and Vegetation Change in the Patagonian Andes," and Schulzinger on "The Living Legacy of the Vietnam War." Veblen's presentation will be in room 205 and Schulzinger's will be in room 207.
From 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tooley and Ablowitz will give presentations. Tooley will speak about "Physics and the Puzzle of Experience," and Ablowitz will discuss "'Solitons' - What are They All About? What's the Fuss?" Tooley's presentation will be in room 207 and Ablowitz's in room 205.
Ablowitz is considered a pioneer in the field of applied mathematics and his work in the field is among the most highly cited in the world. He joined the CU-Boulder faculty in 1989.
Schulzinger, who directs CU-Boulder's International Affairs program, is the author of 12 books and is an expert on U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy and contemporary U.S. politics. He joined the CU-Boulder faculty in 1977.
Tooley, whose current research is mainly in the areas of metaphysics and the philosophy of religion, is the author of six books and dozens of articles. He joined the CU-Boulder faculty in 1992.
Veblen studies forest ecosystems in Argentina, Chile and Colorado, including the effects of fires and insect outbreaks on Colorado forests. He joined the CU-Boulder faculty in 1981.
For more information call (303) 492-4933.