PORT ANGELES, WA – Peninsula College’s Studium Generale lecture series returns for Winter Quarter 2026 with a diverse lineup of engaging, thought-provoking presentations. All events are free and open to the public. Lectures will be held Thursdays at 12:35 p.m. in the Little Theater on Peninsula College’s main campus and will also be available via Zoom livestream. The series runs through March 5, 2026.
January 15: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy
Peninsula College’s 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy lecture will feature U.S. History faculty member Migizi Miigwan/Nicole Nesberg, who will facilitate a panel discussion focused on family, community, and resilience. Jonathan Williams will return to the Studium stage to share personal experiences and insights, joined by Mikki Jones and Andre Jones in honoring Dr. King’s life and enduring legacy.
January 22: Presentation by the Clallam Marine Resources Committee
Members of the Clallam Marine Resources Committee will present on marine science, ecosystem restoration, and community-supported conservation efforts.
January 29: Awareness of Human Trafficking & Prevention
Sergeant Marlies Dick of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will present on human trafficking prevention in collaboration with the International Soroptimist Clubs of Clallam County and Peninsula College, in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
February 5: The Impact of Indian Boarding & Residential Schools
Andrew Pascua, a member of the Kwikwetlem First Nation in British Columbia, will discuss his work in education, community-building, and healing in relation to the legacy of Indian boarding and residential schools.
February 12: Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain
Authors who contributed to Salmon, Cedar, Rock & Rain: Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, published by The Mountaineers in 2023, will read from their work. Loni Grinnell Greninger, Maria Parker Pascua, and Tim McNulty will share the stage, followed by a reception in ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse.
February 19: Ceramic Artist Sara Deren
Artist-in-Residence Sara Deren will discuss her journey with clay, the inspirations, and influences behind her current body of work, and what lies ahead in her artistic practice.
February 26: Helen Masvikeni Presents The Plight of a Woman
This immersive performance by Zimbabwean-born artist Helen Masvikeni weaves storytelling, movement, music, and visual art to explore identity, cultural expectations, and liberation. Rooted in women’s lived experiences yet resonating universally, the work invites reflection and dialogue that extends beyond the performance.
March 5: What We Talk About When We Talk About Empathy with Dr. Janet Lucas
Dr. Janet Lucas explores how the definition of empathy has evolved, how oversimplified interpretations are used to undermine it in academic and political discourse, and why empathy continues to matter. Through storytelling, including her own experiences visiting museums across the East Coast, she examines how stories foster understanding and connection.
