Eastern Connecticut State University continues its “University Hour Series” this spring with a range of presentations that are open to the public and free of charge. University Hour events take place on most Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. in different locations on campus, unless otherwise noted. Here is a list of the presentations taking place up to Spring Break.

On Feb. 5, in the Student Center Theater, Annawon Weeden will draw on his Mashpee Wampanog, Narragansett and Pequot lineage to present a one-man show titled “First Light Flashback”: A Lecture on Native Americans in New England.” Weeden will provide audience members a unique perspective on Native history in southern New England. 

On Feb. 6, from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Center Theater, award-winning film producer Charles Stuart will use clips of his most recent work to talk about U.S. veterans returning from wars and their struggle with the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  (note special date and time)

On Feb. 12, in the Student Center Theater, Kafui Ablode Attoh, assistant professor of urban studies at the City University of New York, will discuss his book “Rights in Transit: Public Transportation and the Right to the City.” The book examines urban life in California’s East Bay. For those who lack other means of mobility, public transit is a lifeline.

On. Feb. 19, in the Student Center Theater, Marie-Celie Agnant, a Haitian-born, Montreal-based writer and one of the most prominent voices of the Haitian diaspora, will speak. Agnant’s work examines the experiences of exiles and immigrants, as well as the inherent issues of cultural memory, heritage, matrilineage and women’s resilience in the face of colonization, slavery and patriarchy.

On Feb. 26, in the Student Center Theater, Eastern will honor the recipients of the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Award.

On March 4, in the Student Center Theater, New York artist Bishakh Som will discuss “Gender, Sexuality, Memory and Urbanism: The Comics and Graphic Novels of Bishakh Som.” Som’s work examines the intersection between image and text, figure and architecture, and architecture and landscape. Som seeks to expand the vocabulary of the graphic novel and comics genres, to include themes of gender, sexuality, memory and urbanism.

On March 11, in the Student Center Theater, Judy Dworin will present “New Beginnings: Justice Alternatives Through the Arts.” Dworin will discuss her innovative arts outreach for women at York Correctional Institution, for men at the Cylbulski Community Reintegration Center and for individuals returning to their communities from both institutions.