The Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute
Presents the 2026-2027 BIG THOUGHT Series
OUR ONGOING REVOLUTION
July 4th, 1776 was but a declaration of America's independence. Political independence from Great Britain would have to be won through a long and violent war of Revolution. And of course, our country's revolutions did not end in the 18th Century.
This series of lectures, panels, and performance invites us to reflect upon the ways revolutionary impulse are woven into the American fabric, the ways the stories we tell about past violence shape our understanding of who we are, and the ways science and art create and propel revolutionary actions.
All programs of the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute are free and open to the public and may be attended in person or via Zoom.
For further reading and resources related to this series visit The Geisel Library Companion Guide.
The Past is never dead. It’s not even past.
Schedule of Events
Thursday September 17th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
Narrating Violence: Memory, Storytelling, and the Afterlives of Colombia's Drug War
Professor Jaime A. Orrego, Modern Languages and Literatures Department
Tuesday October 6th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"A House Divided": The Ongoing Structural Legacy of Slavery and Segregation
Professor Jesse Saywell, English and Communication Department
Wednesday October 21st at 4:30 p.m. in Koonz Theater, Dana Center
The Character(s) of the American Revolution
Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, Stacy Schiff
This conversation wi// be held following the presentation to Stacy of the inaugural Ken Burns Award of the Humanities
Thursday February 4th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
Counter-revolution in America's Post-civil Rights Movement Era
Professor Andrew Moore, History Department
Thursday March 4th at 4:30 p.m. in the Melucci Auditorium, Roger and Francine Jean Student Center
Bean Distinguished Lecture Scientific Revolutions: From Quanta to Black Holes
Dr. Robert Mann, Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Waterloo
Thursday March 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Koonz Theater, Dana Center
The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD
An original play by Scott Carter, followed by a talk-back with the author and performers
Thursday April 8th at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
When the Revolution is Televised: Art as Resistance
Professors Christian Gregory, Education Department, and Jonathan Lupo and Jesse Saywell, English and Communication Department
The BIG THOUGHT series is made possible in major part through the generosity of Ms. Kathy Kayros.
Come Friday Forums
In addition to these scheduled programs, we encourage you to take part in the following COME FRIDAY FORUMS in the Grappone Humanities Institute this year that will help us discern the place and nature of revolution in our lives.
Friday, September 4th at 12:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"Would you have been a Patriot or a Loyalist during the American
Revolution?"
Professor Destiny Brady, Nursing Department
Matthew Harland '27
Friday, September 11th at 12:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"Is it ok to have enemies?"
Professor Christine Gustafson, Politics Department
Friday, October 23rd at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"What things have caused you to change your mind?"
Professor Amy Rohlfing, Biological Sciences Department
Friday, February 5th at 12:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"Are revolutions necessary for social and political progress?"
Ms. Elissa Margolin, JD, Director of Initiative for Housing Policy and Practice
Denise Gioffre '28
Friday, February 26th at 12:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"Can anyone really be free of prejudice?"
Professor Aubrey Schoepner Torres, Education Department
Friday, April 2nd at 4:30 p.m. in the Grappone Humanities Institute
"Does the Statue of Liberty still give welcome to those yearning to be free?"
Professor Paul Finn, Psychology Department
Duke Addy '27, Grappone Fellow
