Lewis University will begin its Food for Thought Colloquium for the Spring 2012 semester with several presentations in the month of February. Events will be held at 2 p.m. in room AS-158A located at the University’s main campus in Romeoville. All events are free of charge.

Events for the month of February include:
• Feb. 1– “Russian Food” presented by Dr. Seraphima Gettys, assistant professor of foreign language
• Feb. 3 – “The Illinois Family Farm.”
• Feb. 8 – “What’s Wrong with the Food We Eat?” presented by Dr. Joseph Gaziano, professor of political science and Dr. George Miller, professor of philosophy
• Feb. 9 – “Food Bourne Illnesses” presented by Dr. James Rago, assistant professor of biology
• Feb. 15 – “Food and Faith” presented by Dr. Mary Ellen Collett, associate professor of theology
• Feb. 16 – “Food as Non-Verbal Communication” presented by Dr. Cathy Ayers, professor of communications
• Feb. 23 – “Food and Learning” presented by Dr. Deborah Augsburger, associate professor of education
• Feb. 29 – “Spices and Globalization” presented by Dr. Pramod Mishra, assistant professor of English

Faculty members from Lewis University are leading an eight-month exploration of food, foodies, health, meals and culture. The Lewis University History Center and the Arts and Ideas Program support the "Food for Thought" series that engages all in a multi-disciplinary conversation on a vital topic: food. There is a personal connection to food, a cultural connection to food, a global connection to food and, fundamentally, a biological connection to food. Food is related to growth, to health, to illness, but it is also the source of community, the heart of the family, and joy.

The series is being sponsored by a grant from the Colonel Stephen S. and Lyla Doherty Center for Aviation and Health Research and the Illinois Arts Council. For more information about the series, contact Dr. Ewa Bacon at baconew@lewisu.edu.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.