Varner Vitality Lecture Series
The Varner Vitality Lecture Series is named in honor of Oakland’s first chancellor, Durward “Woody” Varner. The series aims to energize and sustain the highest academic and scholarly aspirations of the University community. This lecture is sponsored by the Division of Academic Affairs. Previous speakers include Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India; Dr. Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. Secretary of State; Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist; Bill Nye, scientist, author and TV host; Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author; and most recently, Lech Walesa, former President of Poland. The event is free and open to the public. For more information on the series, please call (248) 370-2190.
Varner Vitality Lecture Series
Sophia A. Nelson, Esq.
April 1, 2024
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Oakland Center – Founders Ballroom
Book-signing to follow
Sophia A. Nelson, Esquire is an award-winning author, award-winning journalist, and renowned international inspirational speaker. Nelson is a national columnist for several major outlets including, The Washington Post, Politico Magazine and CNN OPINION. You can see Nelson regularly on CNN as a legal and political analyst, as well as other national outlets like Morning Joe, The Today Show and NPR. Nelson is an award-winning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion thought leader, EIQ curator, as well as corporate leadership and human resources trainer. She has worked with the Fortune 25, Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 companies and every major platform around diversity and workplace wellness in the world. Nelson is the author of four best-selling nonfiction books: Black Woman Redefined, The Woman Code, ePluribus One and her newest release in June 2022, Be the One You Need: 21 Life Lessons I Learned While Taking Care of Everyone But Me.
| Year | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 2003 | J. Craig Venter |
| 2006 | Susan Love |
| 2008 | Madeline Albright |
| 2009 | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam |
| 2011 | Thomas Friedman |
| 2012 | Steven Pinker |
| 2013 | Jane Goodall |
| 2014 | Daniel J. Levitin |
| 2015 | Morten Lauridsen |
| 2016 | Bill Nye |
| 2017 | Doris Kearns Goodwin |
| 2019 | Alan Weisman |
| 2019 | Lech Walesa |
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