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From Caves to Skyscrapers, How Humans Have Built the World
Reaching 1,450 feet in the air, Willis Tower in Chicago was the tallest building on the planet for nearly a quarter of a century. It now ranks 26th, having long been surpassed by the towering Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which rises nearly 3,000 feet into the atmosphere. From a simple cave to buildings of steel […]
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Fancy Dance: A Journey Through Culture, Language, and Identity
Fancy Dance is a heartfelt story about a Native American woman who faces the challenges of caring for her niece after her sister goes missing. Set on the Seneca-Cayuga Nation Reservation, the film explores themes of family, resilience, and cultural identity. Through the lens of a deeply personal story, Fancy Dance sheds light on the […]
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Following in the Footsteps of a Famous Father
For many people, it would be hard to follow in the footsteps of a famous father. But for Rev. Dr. Bernice King, her calling to serve is a natural progression of being the daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. “There’s good in the worst of us and there’s bad in the best of us. I […]
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Celebrating Walter Capps’ Impact on Religious Studies
In a celebration of legacy and learning, the UC Santa Barbara Department of Religious Studies recently hosted a panel featuring renowned scholars of religion who were once graduate students of the late Walter Capps. The current chair of the department, Juan Campos, moderated the panel, which highlighted Capps’ enduring influence on the academic community and […]
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A Conversation with Meg Ryan: Revisiting When Harry Met Sally
During a recent event at UC Santa Barbara, actress Meg Ryan sat down with moderator Brad Silberling to discuss her career and the timeless charm of the classic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. Their conversation provided a unique opportunity to explore the making of the film, its enduring legacy, and the nuances that have […]
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Empowering Voices: Insights from Women in Leadership 2024
Celebrating and honoring the legacy of Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, Women in Leadership brings together trailblazers who have shattered barriers and paved the way for women worldwide. This year’s panel featured Ina Garten, cookbook author, television host, and former White House budget analyst; Michelle K. Hanabusa, founder and creative […]
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The Kindness of Strangers: Survival in Linz, London and Shanghai
The story of Greta Taussig and Rudy Gans, as shared by their son Bob Gans, is a poignant tale of survival, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. Presented as part of the UC San Diego Holocaust Living History Workshop, their experiences offer profound insights into the trials of persecution and exile during one of history’s […]
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Writing that Inspires
What obsessions do you have? What kind of stories do you recount around your dinner table? What books are currently sitting on your bedside table? In this far-reaching and insightful interview with best-selling authors Nick Hornby and Susan Orlean, we hear the stories that inspire these great writers to put pen to paper. “Writing that […]
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Jake Blount: Exploring the Power of Music, Afrofuturism, and Social Change
In a recent presentation that beautifully blended art, history, and activism, musician and scholar Jake Blount unveiled music’s profound capacity to envision a brighter future. With narrative and insight, Blount shared his creative process, underscoring the interplay between tradition and innovation, the transformative power of Afrofuturism, and the art of reimagining music for contemporary issues. […]
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Saving the Soul of America from White Christian Nationalism
The social and political divide in America is starkly apparent as we head into another heated presidential race. For theologian and social activist Father Bryan Massingale, his research on race, sexuality, and society could not be timelier as the country grapples with increasing acts of violence against minority groups. Father Massingale, a Black, openly gay […]