Welcome to the Gregory J. Grappone ’04 Humanities Institute’s 2021-2022 Big Thought Series: A River Runs Through Us
Whether we are aware of it or not, The Merrimack River—quietly and forcefully-- runs through all of our lives in ways far beyond the water we drink. Join us for a year-long exploration of the geographical, ecological, biological, historical, economic, and cultural relationship we all share with the Merrimack River.
Spring 2022
| Date | Topic | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuesday, January 25, 4 p.m. |
What is in that Water You Are Drinking from Biology Professor Brian Penney will lead his Ecology students in presenting fall research findings. Former VP of Pennichuck Water Service Corporation and Saint Anselm alumna Bernie Rousseau will give an accompanying talk. |
Melucci Auditorium of the Jean Center |
|
Tuesday, February 15, 7 p.m. |
The Merrimack’s Homeless Populations The Anselmian Network for Racial Justice will host a panel discussion on issues facing the homeless population who live by the Merrimack River. Delta Epsilon Sigma will coordinate a necessities drive to go along with the event. |
Jean Event Center |
|
Thursday, March 3, |
When the River was a Highway Plymouth State University Professor Emerita Marcia Schmidt Blaine will explore the 18th and 19th century views of the Merrimack when the river served as a highway for European incursion and settlement. |
Jean Event Center |
|
Tuesday, March 22, |
Reflections on Climate Change and the Physics Professor Ian Durham and students from his Fall Climate Change class will give a short presentation on the predicted effects of climate change on the Merrimack River and will lead a discussion on possible mitigation policies. |
Jean Event Center |
|
Thursday, March 24, |
Franco-American Immigrants and the Robert B. Perreault will discuss French Canadian immigration to Manchester in the 19th and 20thcenturies. Keith Chevalier, Geisel Library, will help facilitate this discussion. |
Jean Event Center |
|
Thursday, April 7, |
The Daoist Vision of Seeing Ourselves in Nature and Nature in Ourselves Theology Professor Bede Benjamin Bidlack will demonstrate that a river runs through all of us with historical and cultural reflections along with an interactive exercise for participants. |
Jean Event Center |
|
Thursday, April 14,
|
A Celebration of Music and Literature from Joe Deleault and Gary Bouchard will lead an evening of music, poetry, and prose inspired by the Merrimack River watershed. A Community Art Exhibit of Merrimack River-inspired art, assembled by the Goffstown Library, will be on display in the Dana Center lobby during the month of April. |
Koonz Theater |
Program Co-Sponsors
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, The Goffstown Public Library, Goffstown Public Works, The Millyard Museum in Manchester, The Geisel Library, The Departments of Biology, Criminal Justice, English, History, Physics, Theology at Saint Anselm College.