Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference, April 2-5

By Lisa M. Rabey
Systems & Web Librarian

To celebrate National Poetry Month, Grand Rapids Community College is thrilled to host the first historic Grand Rapids Poets’ Conference, chaired by Grand Rapids’ poet laureate and GRCC’s own, David Cope. In addition to being a well-regarded and respected professor, Cope is also a nationally lauded and award winning poet.

The conference, which begin on April 2, will host numerous local and national poets, including poets from GRCC, Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College and Calvin College. In addition, all four of the Grand Rapids Poet Laureates and poets from all walks of life will be in attendence. Panels and sessions will be held during the day at 108 Sneden Hall and readings will be held on the second floor of the library at night.

Sponsored by GRCC, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, the conference is free and open to the public.

For more information, please check out the conference’s Facebook page and website.

The Roots of Morality: Does Religion Play a Role or is the Tail Wagging the Dog?

GRCC’s Psychology Department will present a slate of fascinating speakers and topics at the 2010 – 2011 Psychology Department Speakers Series:

Luke Galen, PhD – Wednesday, March 30, 1:15 – 2:45

Dr. Galen is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Grand Valley State University. In this presentation he will consider the root of morality and pro-social behavior. Are we kind and considerate of others because religion creates a set of rules and “commandments” or are these behaviors a natural result of our evolutionary need to live in community? Dr. Galen will also cover related topics such as why humans construct religions and how religion can create prejudicial beliefs and behaviors.

All presentations are free and open to the public.

For more information contact Dr. Frank Conner at (616) 234-3612.