The College of Idaho, through the generous support of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, will welcome two guests to campus this fall to be the featured speakers in the Neilsen Lecture Series in Judaic Studies.
In 2023, Dr. Nimisha Barton was on campus on October 11 and 12 and Dr. Mariusz Kałczewiak came to the College on November 7.
“I always try to think about who is doing new and cutting-edge work in Judaic Studies that I think will resonate with what our students themselves are engaged in academically,” said Nick Underwood, Assistant Professor of History and Berger/Neilsen Chair of Judaic Studies at the College. “Dr. Barton’s lecture this fall will touch on some of the themes related to migration and Jewish life that originated in Europe, and Dr. Kałczewiak’s work on Jewish migration from Poland to Argentina will help tie in nicely with students who will be on the study away trip to Argentina in Winter 2024.”
The Lecture Series and the Chair of Judaic Studies are both unique to the College thanks to the Neilsen Foundation. The College of Idaho is the only institute of higher learning in the Intermountain West to have an endowed chair for Judaic Studies.
“I am always looking to expose our campus and broader community to the types of work that people are doing in Judaic Studies and to highlight how that work is being done and who is doing it,” Underwood said. “It is a vast and fascinating field and, with each invitation, I am hoping to give our community a taste of the exciting research, art and culture that is being done in this exciting area of study.”
All events in the Neilsen Lecture Series in Judaic Studies are free and open to the public. These events bring Jewish scholars, dignitaries, and public figures to campus to speak about tolerance, diversity, history, culture, and current events.
The College of Idaho has a 132-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition, and history of producing successful graduates, including eight Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.