April is a taxing month on several ways, one of those times when everything happens at Columbia, so check all calendars, including those on our DIY Picks list. A highly selective gleaning follows, with speakers ranging from Jeffrey Sachs to Colm Tóibín to Joel Klein on saving our schools.
March 30
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
School of Continuing Education
What is a Moral University in the 21st Century?
Universities today face a myriad of ethical challenges concerning issues from high tuition and overseas investments to sexual assault and scientific fraud. Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute, will lead the discussion. RSVP here. Hamilton Hall, Room 517.
March 31
6 – 9 p.m.
Columbia Business School
Green Business Summit on Sustainable Food
In the face of rising demand and environmental constraints, how will food supply chains and consumer tastes need to change? What are innovative companies doing to lead that change and capture new opportunities? A panel discussion with representatives from Chipotle, Whole Foods, Six Foods, Local Food Lab, and more. Keynote speech by Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown. Followed by a reception with food and drinks. Purchase tickets here. Hepburn Lounge, Uris Hall, 1st Floor.
April 6
6 – 7 p.m.
Columbia University Medical Center/Columbia University Bookstore
The Ethics Police?: Book Discussion and Signing
Dr. Robert Klitzman, professor of psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Center will discuss and sign copies of his new book The Ethics Police?: The Struggle to Make Human Research Safe. In his book, Klitzman examines the morality of morality, at how the bodies set up to protect research subjects can end up injuring us all. Columbia University Bookstore, 2922 Broadway.
April 7
6:15 p.m.
Heyman Center for the Humanities
States of Division: Borders and Boundary-Formation in the Cold War and Beyond
This panel brings together experts on historical and current border and conflict zones in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including Mark Mazower, director and chair of the Heyman Center; Sagi Schaefer, assistant professor of modern European history at Tel-Aviv University; Charles K. Armstrong, Korea Foundation Professor of Korean Studies in the Social Sciences; and George Gavrilis, author and consultant. The Heyman Center, Common Room, 2nd Floor.
7 p.m.
School of the Arts
Russell Banks and Caryl Phillips in Conversation: Giovanni’s Room
Acclaimed authors Russell Banks and Caryl Phillips explore James Baldwin’s second novel, Giovanni’s Room, on the perils and necessity of the human connection, the dangers of American innocence, and the experiential torment that too often accompanies the label of homosexuality. Introduction by Mary Gordon, Millicent C. McIntosh Professor in English and Writing. RSVP here. Barnard College, 418 Barnard Hall, the James Room.
April 9
6:15 p.m.
Heyman Center for the Humanities
Colm Tóibín and Roy Foster in Conversation
Renowned author Colm Tóibín and Roy Foster, professor of Irish history, will discuss subjects addressed in their upcoming works, both set in Ireland. Tóibín’s new novel Nora Webster dramatizes the life of a woman and her family in a small town in Ireland in the late 1960s. Fintan O’Toole, author and literary editor of The Irish Times, will serve as moderator. Barnard Hall, Sulzberger Parlor.
April 13
6 – 8 p.m.
Graduate School of Journalism
Lessons of Hope: How to Fix Our Schools
Former Chancellor of the New York City Board of Education, Joel Klein (’67CC), will be introducing his new book Lessons of Hope: How to Fix Our Schools. Klein will be in discussion with Steve Coll, Dean and Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism. Reception to follow. RSVP here. Graduate School of Journalism, Pulitzer Hall, 3rd Floor.
Picks are campus or NYC events of high general interest to alumni, donors, and prospects. By design, regrettably, much more is omitted than featured. For RSVP, ticket availability, and other details, follow the links. I always appreciate hearing from you about future events!