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K-State Today

September 25, 2019

KSBN Fall Lecture Series on 'Darius the Great Is Not Okay'

Submitted by Karin Westman

Darius the Great Is Not Okay cover

The K-State Book Network is announcing its fall lecture series for the 2019 common book, "Darius the Great Is Not Okay." All events are free and open to the public, and they will be available via Zoom for live streaming and for later viewing.

"Darius the Great Is Not Okay: A Public Lecture Series" draws upon the collective knowledge of the campus community to provide insight on the issues raised in Adib Khorram's novel.

"Members of our campus community will help us consider connections between the characters and themes of 'Darius' and our current cultural moment, including our local experience here at K-State," said Karin Westman, PR/event committee chair and department head of English. "We're looking forward to conversations about key themes in Khorram's book."

The lecture series will include the following three presentations:

On Thursday, Oct. 3, faculty and graduate students in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design will offer a moderated panel discussion on "The City of Yazd: Understanding the Heart of Iran." The panel will take place noon to 1:30 p.m. in Regnier Forum and at https://tinyurl.com/ksbn2019yazd. Tara Coleman, chair of KSBN, will serve as moderator. Participants will include:

  • Dorna Eshrati, doctoral candidate, on Persian culture and tea.
  • Todd Gabbard, associate professor, director of graduate programs, and associate department head, architecture, on chaharbaghs and courtyards.
  • Sara Hadavi, assistant professor, landscape architecture and regional and community planning, on gardens in Persian life.
  • Hamed Goharipour, doctoral candidate, on Yazd's urban life and infrastructure.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, noon to 1 p.m., faculty and staff from across campus will offer strategies for well-being. "Well-Being: A Conversation" will feature Tara Coleman, chair of KSBN, in conversation with Jean DeDonder, assistant director for Lafene Health Services, and colleagues from other resources on campus. This event will only be available via Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/ksbn2019wellbeing

Finally, on Thursday, Nov. 14, representatives from K-State Athletics and Counseling Services will offer a moderated panel discussion on "Sports and Well-Being." The panel will take place noon to 1 p.m. in Union Big 12 Room and at https://tinyurl.com/ksbn2019sports. Dr. Kyle Goerl, MD CAQSM, primary care sports medicine and family medicine physician for Lafene Health Center and team physician for K-State Athletics, will serve as moderator. Participants will include:

  • Anne Weese, director of sport psychology, K-State Athletics.
  • Kennedy Felice, graduate student in kinesiology and student athlete.
  • Bri Presutti, post-degree consultant, Counseling Services.

Visit the K-State Book Network for more information about Thomas's book and the KSBN program, including a list of events sponsored by other campus and community organizations in connection with the 2019 selection.

"We encourage members of the K-State and Manhattan communities to contact KSBN at ksbn@ksu.edu when they organize an event that resonates with 'Darius the Great Is Not Okay' and its themes, so we can recognize their contribution to the conversation," said Westman.