Education and Democracy Lecturer to Visit Gustavus Oct. 12-13

Dr. Paul Woodruff, philosophy professor at the University of Texas at Austin, will visit Gustavus Adolphus College on Oct. 12 and 13. Throughout the two-day visit, Woodruff will present a public address, visit classes, have meal conversations, and serve as homilist during daily worship in Christ Chapel.

Woodruff’s public address, “Education for Democracy: The Ancient Voices,” is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, in the Heritage Room, located in C. Charles Jackson Campus Center. A reception will follow. Also on Oct. 12, Woodruff will speak in Christ Chapel at 10 a.m. Meal conversations will take place at 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 and at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. The meal conversations will be in the St. Peter Room, again located in the Campus Center; to join, please call the Center for Vocational Reflection (507-933-7169) by Tuesday, Oct. 10. All events are free and open to the public.

A testament to the liberal arts, Woodruff is a playwright, furniture builder, classicist, philosopher, author, Vietnam veteran, and poet. His visit will focus on the power of the liberal arts to nourish democracy. Additionally, he will discuss the virtues of democratic society and the importance of those who contribute to the common good.

Woodruff is the Darrel K. Royal Professor in Ethics and American Society in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. He has been the long-time Hayden Head Regents Chair as the director of the Plan II honors program, has received the Harry Ransom Teaching Award, and is a member of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers at the University of Texas. He has written a variety of works; including plays, poetry, short fiction, translations and scholarly articles. His meditation on a classical theme in ethics, Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue, was recognized by the Christian Science Monitor among notable non-fiction for 2001, and was the focus of an interview with Bill Moyers on PBS.

Sponsorship for Woodruff’s upcoming visit is provided by the Gustavus Departments of Philosophy, Political Science, Theatre & Dance, and classics; along with the Center for Vocational Reflection.