Speakers on a wide range of topics with a free lunch!

Looking to engage in a good conversation on a beefy topic or two while connecting with other fellow students?

You’re in luck: The MHCC Diversity Resource Center – casually known as the DRC – and the Associated Student Government are presenting The Conversation Project, designed to help engage and inform students in provocative issues and ideas, over lunch.

These conversation sessions last 60 to 90 minutes, and engage participants in thoughtful discussions while building a greater understanding of the topic.

They also help connect students through thought-provoking questions on deep topics that help to build critical thinking skills.

“The Conversation ‘Lunch and Learn’ project has been an integral part of the inaugural year for the (DRC),” said Melinda Bullen, DRC coordinator.

To offer this level of programming, including visits by esteemed experts, “is exactly what the DRC was created for,” she said. “Not to mention, that it’s one more brilliant example of our powerful collaboration with the (ASG).”

The events are free, so students may bring their lunch down to the Student Union Lounge, put on their thinking cap and be ready to learn something new.

In fact, the first 25 guests to arrive receive a free boxed lunch, offering further incentive.

Interested? Here are some of the upcoming topics:

From noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday in the DRC, Jim Lommasson will cover the topic, “Life After War: Photography and Oral Histories of Coming Home.” Conversation threads include: What happens after the war when the soldiers return home? Do they bring parts of the war back with them?

On Jan. 30, Leslie Dunlap will explore the topic, “Something Old, Something New: Exploring the State of Marriage,” also from noon to 1:30 p.m. Up for debate: What is marriage? How do you define marriage?

On Feb. 13, Richard Etulain presents “Lessons from Lincoln: Is Political Bipartisanship Possible?” Can Americans employ the same bipartisanship that Abraham Lincoln once used to cope with the many simmering controversies today?