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February 26th, 2019
For decades, psychedelic drugs have been associated with “turning on, tuning in, dropping out” and the countercultural baggage of the 1960s. But what if they hold the key to treating a series of health afflictions? Are they safe? Are they effective?
Six-time New York Times best-selling author Michael Pollan will explore these ideas March 20 in a Q&A session led by Rhonda Phillips, interim dean of Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies. “What If Psychedelics Could Heal?” is set to start at 6 p.m. in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall. The lecture/presentation is open free to the public. The presentation will be followed by a book signing outside Fowler Hall at 7:15 p.m.
Pollan is author of the recent “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence,” as well as other books including “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.”
This Ideas Festival presentation is among many events celebrating Purdue’s sesquicentennial celebration, 150 Years of Giant Leaps, which acknowledges the university’s global advancements made in a variety of fields. This event aligns with one of the celebration’s Giant Leaps themes, Health, Longevity and Quality of Life.
Pollan has dedicated the last 30 years to exploring and writing about the many ways in which the human and natural worlds intersect. He is the author of eight books, six of which have been New York Times best-sellers, including “Cooked,” which served as the basis for the 2016 Netflix miniseries of the same name; and “The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World” and “In Defense of Food,” both of which have inspired PBS documentaries. Pollan also appeared in the Oscar-nominated documentary “Food Inc.,” which was partially based on another of his books, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.” His work has led him to be chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and has earned him many accolades within his field.
“How to Change Your Mind,” an immediate No. 1 New York Times best-seller, explores the revolutionary potential psychedelics hold in relieving depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction — afflictions that have been characteristically difficult to treat. Today, as scientists and researchers worldwide reevaluate hallucinogens and their potential healing powers, Pollan strives to provide some clarity on the safety and effectiveness of these substances.
“As the world of medicine continues to evolve, psychedelics and their role in treating mental illness have become a huge area of research interest,” Phillips said. “Given Purdue’s longstanding dedication to seeking out innovative solutions to improve the quality of life, we are very excited to hear Pollan’s take on an unconventional method of healing, as well as the medical and societal implications it may have.”
This event is sponsored by Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies and Purdue Archives and Special Collections – which is home of the Betsy Gordon Psychoactive Substances Research Collection – and is co-sponsored by the Department of Chemistry, the Honors College, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Science, Purdue Graduate Student Government, and the Ideas Festival Committee.
Writer: Jaclyn Lawmaster, jlawmast@purdue.edu
Media Contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Filed under: collections, events, generalNovember 6th, 2018
“A Look Back” is a new exhibit in the Humanities, Social Science, and Education (HSSE) Library that pays tribute to Purdue University’s first Library in University Hall.
The event “Celebrating the History of Purdue Libraries”–to highlight the display and commemorate Purdue Libraries’ history–is set from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 in the Periodical Reading Room on the first floor of the HSSE Library. The event is open free to the public.
At 3:30 p.m., Purdue Libraries Professor Judy Nixon will provide a brief background about the exhibit and introduce David Hovde, Professor Emeritus, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections. Hovde will share his work on his book about the history of Purdue Libraries. At 4:15 p.m. attendees can take part in a tour of the 1913 stacks.
The display in HSSE Library was designed by Nixon, Director of Purdue Libraries Facilities Nanette Andersson, Library Assistant Pat Whalen, and the “A Look Back”-exhibit planning team.
“A Look Back” is part of the Purdue University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration, 150 Years of Giant Leaps. Learn more at takegiantleaps.com.
Filed under: general, HSSE, SPEC, UncategorizedAugust 22nd, 2018
Purdue University Archives and Special Collections (ASC) latest exhibit highlights the physical growth and evolution of Purdue‘s West Lafayette campus since the University was founded in 1869. “Building Purdue: 150 Years of the West Lafayette Campus” will be on display from Monday, Aug. 27–Friday, Dec. 14 in the ASC (located on the fourth floor of the Humanities, Social Science, and Education, or HSSE, Library in Stewart Center). Exhibition hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and it is free and open to the public.
According to Digital Archivist Neal Harmeyer, who curated the exhibit, the display will include selected maps, photographs, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of campus—with a focus on its construction—as Purdue nears the sesquicentennial.
“Prominent topics are the fire of Heavilon Hall that inspired ‘One Brick Higher,’ the creation of the Purdue Memorial Union, the University during and after the World Wars, and the ever-changing nature of the campus all Boilermakers call home,” Harmeyer noted.
Later this year, Archives and Special Collections will launch the Campus Buildings and Facilities Project, a searchable database documenting the full history of the physical West Lafayette campus.
The exhibit helps Purdue Archives and Special Collections, a division of Purdue Libraries, kick off Purdue University’s Sesquicentennial Campaign, 150 Years of Giant Leaps. The campaign is a yearlong celebration of Purdue, its remarkable people, its unique history, and its visionary drive to meet the world’s future challenges. From Homecoming 2018 through Homecoming 2019, the Purdue community will spend the year celebrating its unique legacy, which has included giant leaps across every field of endeavor, and further advancing the mission set forth since its founding as a land-grant university in 1869. With the campaign serving as a springboard for a renewed commitment to growth, innovation, and discovery, Purdue’s call is simple: Whatever your pursuit, take Giant Leaps.
For more information about “Building Purdue: 150 Years of the West Lafayette Campus,” contact Harmeyer at harmeyna@purdue.edu.
#TakeGiantLeaps
Filed under: collections, events, general, HSSE, SPEC