Signature Lecture Series brings prominent voices to UGA campus

ATHENS — Distinguished scientists, artists and leaders in technology, business and government will speak at the University of Georgia this semester as part of the university’s Signature Lecture Series.

Coordinated by the Office of the Provost, the Signature Lecture Series features speakers noted nationally or internationally for their broad, multidisciplinary appeal and compelling bodies of work. Many of the lectures are supported by endowments, while others honor notable figures and milestones in the university’s history.

“We are proud to host nationally and internationally renowned thought leaders who bring a wide variety of experiences, insights and viewpoints to our campus,” S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, said. “The Signature Lecture Series is an opportunity for the campus community to hear from preeminent voices in critical fields including the arts, humanities, business, law and science.”

The fall 2024 Signature Lectures are:

— Saxby Chambliss, former U.S. senator, and Arnold Punaro, defense expert

Russell Library 50th Anniversary Celebration

Oct. 22, 11 a.m., Richard B. Russell Building, Special Collections Libraries

Chambliss served in the U.S. Senate for two terms following four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as a member of the Armed Services Committee, the Rules Committee and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. His leadership and experience on homeland security and intelligence matters earned him an appointment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence where he served as vice chairman from 2011 to 2015.

Punaro, a retired Marine Corps general, is chief executive officer of The Punaro Group, a firm specializing in federal budget and market analysis, business strategy and capture, acquisition due diligence, government relations, communications, crisis management, sensitive operations and business risk analysis and compliance. He consults for a broad array of Fortune 100 companies and has been recognized by Defense News as one of the 100 most influential individuals in U.S. defense.

Sponsored by the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies

— Greg Lavender, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Intel Corporation

Nov. 5, 12:30 p.m., Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Mahler Hall, with a reception following in the Hill Atrium

As CTO, Lavender is responsible for driving Intel’s future technical innovation through his leadership of Intel Labs, Intel Federal LLC, and Intel Information Technology. He is also responsible for defining and executing Intel’s software strategy across artificial intelligence, confidential computing and the growing need for open accelerated computing to support Intel’s range of business and hardware offerings. He has held executive and leadership roles at VMware, Citigroup, Cisco Systems, and Sun Microsystems. Lavender holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree and doctorate in computer science from Virginia Tech.

Sponsored by the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

— Micah Cash, visual artist

Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m., M. Smith Griffith Auditorium, Georgia Museum of Art

Investigating how land use and social history influence cultural geography, Cash uses the visual languages of landscape and architecture across media to explore narratives of utilization, demarcation and ownership. His work is featured in solo and group exhibitions as well as private collections throughout North America and Europe. Cash’s monographs include “Waffle House Vistas” and “Dangerous Waters: A Photo Essay on the Tennessee Valley Authority.”

Sponsored by the Georgia Museum of Art

— Saxby Chambliss, former U.S senator, Heidi Heitkamp, former U.S. senator, and Deborah Roberts, award-winning ABC News senior national affairs correspondent

Johnny Isakson Symposium on Political Civility

Nov. 18, 1:30 p.m., Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel

The Johnny Isakson Symposium on Political Civility honors and perpetuates former U.S. Sen. Isakson’s legacy of statesmanship and political civility. Special guests consider how civil debate, mutual respect and common-interest problem-solving advance the public good.

Sponsored by the School of Public and International Affairs

— Krysta Harden, president and CEO, U.S. Dairy Export Council, and former U.S. deputy secretary of agriculture

2024 D.W. Brooks Lecture and Awards: “Georgia Roots, Global Impact: A Journey Working with People, Industry and Nations on Challenges to Nourishing the World”

Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m., Masters Hall, Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel

With a focus on agriculture and a heart for sustainability, Harden wants to boost American dairy exports and advocate for sustainable practices in the industry. Harden was named the first female chief executive of the U.S. Dairy Export Council in 2021 after serving in notable positions such as chief sustainability officer at Corteva and DuPont, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Sponsored by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Special Photo: Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA