Lecture on the Liberal Arts to Take Place at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – The annual Richard Rodino Lecture on the Aims of the Liberal Arts will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m. in the Rehm Library. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Karen Turner, Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J. Professor in the Humanities in the history department at Holy Cross will give this year's lecture, titled "Learning to Listen: From the Classroom to Vietnam."

A member of the Holy Cross faculty since 1983, Turner earned her B.A. in history from Southern Illinois University, her M.A. in Asian studies from Yale University, and her Ph.D. in history from the University of Michigan. Specializing in Chinese and Vietnamese history, she has also studied at Beijing University.

At Holy Cross, Turner was instrumental in the development of the Asian Studies program. She also served as the first director of international studies and was involved with the study abroad program. In the late 1980s she led two Holy Cross groups on academic tours of China. Meanwhile, as a professor of history she has created and taught a series of new courses on women in Asia, law and human rights in Asia, and Vietnam's American War. The recipient of several academic awards and honors, Turner was also one of the first Holy Cross faculty members to receive an O'Leary Faculty Research Award in 2001.

Turner is the author of numerous books including Even Women Must Fight: Memories of War from North Vietnam (1998). In addition, she has directed a documentary film on women and war and has published articles in numerous anthologies and academic journals. She has lectured at colleges and conferences around the United States and Europe.

In October 2002, Turner was named the Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J. Professor in the Humanities . She is the first woman faculty member in Holy Cross history to hold an endowed chair.

The annual Rodino Lecture Series is devoted to the memory of Richard Rodino, formerly of the English department at Holy Cross. He played a central role in launching the College's First Year Program. It is sponsored by the Office of the Dean and the First Year Program.