TAMIU 2004-2005 Sánchez Lecture Series Starts Next Week

The 2004-2005 A.R. Sánchez Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, presented by Texas A&M International University's College of Arts and Sciences, will start Monday, September 20 at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Dr. Robert M. Gates, president of Texas A&M University-College Station, and director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1991 to 1993 will discuss "Homeland Security in the 21st Century. "

Funded by the A.R. Sánchez Foundation, all four lectures are free and open to the public and will take place on their respective evenings at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall.

The remaining Sánchez Lecture Series schedule is as follows:

October 21, 2004 Dr. Rodolfo O. de la Garza "The Latino Vote in the United States"

Named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic magazine in 1998, Dr. de la Garza is professor of political science at Columbia University and vice president for Research at the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute. His research focuses on the intersection of political behavior, public policy and Latino politics.

March 29, 2005 Dr. Kenneth Miller "Finding Darwin's God"

Dr. Miller's 2000 book, Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution, examines the opposing arguments of creationists and evolutionists and concludes the theory of evolution does not diminish the belief in a creator. Miller examines the creationist argument of "intelligent design" and ultimately finds it lacking in scientific validity, and explains how evolution does not negate the possibility of God.

April 12, 2005 Dr. Firouz Naderi "Exploring Mars"

Head of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Exploration Program, charged with determining if Mars is, or if it ever was, a habitat for life, Dr. Naderi will offer insight into the theory and practice of exploring our nearest neighbor.

For additional information on the A. R. Sánchez, Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series, please contact the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at 956.326.2460.

University office hours are from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.