Collegio Online

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Aaron Anders Mark Johnson, professor in technology management, speaks during the Last Lecture Showcase, a series of lectures in which six people, ranging from professors to a police officer, gave life advice. Students enjoyed refreshments and had a chance to win prizes during the lecture, held Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Dellinger Underground.

Students were forced to look at life and themselves in a new light at the Last Lecture Showcase held Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Dellinger Underground.

Jason Wright, senior in elementary education, coordinated the event, which showcased six speakers from the Pittsburg community. Wright was inspired by the Last Lecture Series and its original speaker, Randy Pausch.

The Last Lecture Series started at Carnegie Mellon University shortly after Randy Pausch, a technology instructor, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. He spoke to more than 400 students and staff members trying to answer the self-proposed question, "What wisdom would you try to impart on the world if it was your last chance?"

Given the opportunity to answer the same question, Howard Smith, interim chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, started the night by telling the audience about integrity and the influence relationships have on everyone's lives. Smith ended his lecture by asking the audience what they would do if they knew this was their last day on Earth.
After a moment of reflection Smith asked urgently, "Why in the world are you waiting?"

J.T. Knoll, prevention and wellness coordinator, used songs to enlighten the audience about life's difficulties and choices. Knoll's list of tips for life included: show up, be willing to do whatever it takes, learn to be an iconoclast, do what's best for everyone concerned, and finally, ask for help.
Julie Samuels, assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, followed Knoll with a speech emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with the utmost respect.

"Live life the best you can live it," Samuels said.

Continued...

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