Keuka College Guest Lecturer to Focus on the Future of Higher Education

Northeastern University Professor of English Dr. Chris Gallagher will deliver the College’s Provost’s Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, March 9. 

Friday, March 3, 2023

As they navigate a future that includes shifting priorities and declining populations of high school graduates, colleges and universities will need to respond by shaping creative, lifelong learners ready to confront the world. 

That’s the contention of Dr. Chris Gallagher, a longtime professor and administrator at Northeastern University. He’ll share his insights at Keuka College’s Provost’s Distinguished Lecture Series on Thursday, March 9, at 4:30 p.m. in Norton Chapel. The lecture, titled “‘Gen Ed’ and the Future of Higher Education,” is free and open to the public.

Dr. Gallagher has published widely, authoring or co-authoring numerous books, book chapters, and papers, many of them focusing on teaching and educational innovation. His most recent book is “College Made Whole: Integrative Learning for a Divided World.” In this work, Dr. Gallagher explains that the successful colleges and universities of the future will be designed to help students achieve a lifelong learning experience. 

“Dr. Gallagher offers a compelling defense of integrative liberal learning as the best preparation for developing students’ capacities to grapple with the unscripted problems of the future," said Lynn Pasquerella, president of the Association of American Colleges & Universities. "In the process, he provides action steps for promoting conceptual scaffolding and personalized lifelong learning, essential for both individual thriving and our nation’s democracy.”

As part of his visit to Keuka College, Dr. Gallagher will also meet with the College’s General Education Committee, conduct a workshop through the Center for Teaching and Learning, and visit writing program classes.

The Provost’s Distinguished Lecture Series at Keuka College provides opportunities for scholarly and social discussion of current issues relevant to the campus and local community.