Chemical Engineering Re-Launches Distinguished Lecture Series with Diversity in STEM

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Felecia Nave, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Prairie View A&M University.

The Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering is reviving its R.N. Maddox Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, Oct. 26, with a talk by Felecia Nave, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and professor of chemical engineering at Prairie View A&M University, about diversity in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, better known as STEM.

Bob Maddox was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, receiving his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1948. Maddox went on and received his master's degree in 1950 and doctoral degree in 1954 from Oklahoma State University. By age 32, Maddox became one of the youngest department heads at any university in the nation.

In October of 1987 the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering established the Dr. Robert N. Maddox Distinguished Lectureship to recognize his contributions to the field. That same year, Maddox was inducted in the Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers and was also awarded a Sc. D. honoris causa in May of 1991 for his many contributions, in particular, pioneering the use of digital computers in the engineering classroom and in process simulation. Maddox died on April 9, 2008, at age 82 in Tulsa, Oklahoma; however, his legacy lives on.

Nave's talk, titled 'I Belong Here: Transforming Engineering Education Environments into Inclusive and Diverse Cultures,' will highlight her path to becoming a T-shaped leader while also focusing on the value of creating inclusive cultures for students and faculty. Because representation matters, this lecture will also discuss the value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to create authentic partnerships with them.  

This event is open to all disciplines at the university as well as any business (large or small) that is interested in diversity and inclusion in workforce development.

• Where: Faulkner Performing Arts Center
• Time: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
• Date: Thursday, Oct. 26
• No dress code
• Event open to the public