Changes Come To HASS Hour in August

Utah State University’s HASS Hour, a social and intellectual gathering sponsored by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, will now be held at Hamilton’s Steak and Seafood each month. The series was previously held at the Logan Golf and Country Club, but scheduling conflicts necessitated the move, according to Teri Guy, HASS development coordinator.

 

“HASS alum Justin Hamilton has generously offered the event room to hold HASS Hour,” Guy said. “His continued support of the college and its programs is appreciated, and we encourage our guests to support Justin in return and enjoy the buffet.”

 

HASS Hour features USU faculty from the college’s departments and programs discussing a variety of topics from their areas of expertise, presented in what is called the TimePiece. Organizers promise an hour of good food, good company and intellectual engagement. All are invited to the monthly activity.

 

The August HASS Hour will be held at the new location and features professor Daniel J. McInerney from USU’s Department of History. He is the featured speaker Thursday, Aug. 20, and presents “The Lincoln Bicentennial: Who Freed the Slaves?” HASS Hour begins at 5:15 p.m. with the TimePiece beginning at 6 p.m.

 

“One of the major questions contemporary historians have re-examined concerns Lincoln’s role in the end of slavery,” McInerney said. “Was he ‘The Great Emancipator?’ Were there multiple ‘emancipators?’ What role did the 16th president play in the story of freedom?”

 

McInerney joined USU in 1986. He completed his undergraduate degree at Manhattan College, where he was named to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his doctorate in the American Studies program at Purdue University. At USU he teaches courses in 19th century U.S. history and is a former director of the university’s Honors Program. He has also served as interim department head for history.

 

McInerney is the author of two books, The Fortunate Heirs of Freedom: Abolition and Republican Thought and The Travelers’ History of the United States. The latter work has been translated into Russian by Midgard Press and will soon appear in a Chinese translation from Shanghai University Press.

 

At its new home, HASS Hour will be held in the Event Room at Hamilton’s, Guy said. Doors are being added to the space for increased privacy. During HASS Hour, Hamilton’s will offer a buffet with appetizers, desserts, soft drinks, ice tea or coffee. Cost is $6.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity) and is billed on an individual basis. Guests can also order from the menu and a cash bar is also available.

 

HASS Hour is the third Thursday of each month, and is held at Hamilton’s Steak and Seafood, 2427 N. Main Street, Logan.

 

Looking ahead, the Sept. 17 HASS Hour features Charles S. Prebish, the Charles Redd Endowed Chair in Religious Studies at USU, who will present “Religion and Sport: The Meeting of Sacred and Profane.”

 

To RSVP or for more information, call Guy in the HASS office, 435-797-4072.

 

 

Source: HASS office