Sept. 23 Faculty Development Book Talk: “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch
(The first 28 faculty to email Steve Grineski, grineski@mnstate.edu, with their campus mailing address and agree to attend the event will receive a free copy of the book.)
“A lot of professors give talks titled, “The Last Lecture.” Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can’t help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we know it was our last chance? And so begins Randy Pausch’s National Bestseller “The Last Lecture.”
On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that is devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months. On the stage that day, Randy was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly funny. He seemed invincible. But this was a brief moment, as he himself acknowledged.
Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on July 25, 2008, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come. (From www.thelastlecture.com)
Please join us on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 11:30 in CMU 203 for a discussion about this important book. Elizabeth Kirchoff, English, and Becky Williams, STL, will serve as discussant leaders.
Resources You May Find Helpful
Transcript. and powerpoint slides here (low resolution: 13 meg) or here (full resolution: 272 meg). You may use this for non-commercial purposes without asking for permission.*
Other lectures of mine (thanks to Gabe Robins) from Randy
Coming up Sept. 28: Faculty Development Book Talk: “Learner-Centered Teaching” by Maryellen Weimer