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Exposing students to contemporary issues with historical significance followed by a discussion is one purpose of the Hoag Lecture Series at the University of North Georgia (¹û¶³´«Ã½).

"We want to get students and faculty talking about current issues, especially ones important to them," said Dr. Lauren Oliver, chair of the lecture series committee and assistant professor of biology in the College of Science and Mathematics.

Another purpose of the lecture series is to bring well-known experts to ¹û¶³´«Ã½ who can impart their knowledge to students, faculty and staff in addition to the public.

Once again, the Hoag Lecture Series has accomplished both for the 2021 lecture series with the first speaker discussing antisemitism.

Dr. Deborah Lipstadt is a world-renowned scholar who serves as the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University. She is best known as the author of the books "Denying the Holocaust" (1993), "The Eichmann Trial"(2011), and "Antisemitism: Here and Now" (2019). The movie "Denial," starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Wilkinson and nominated for a BAFTA, is based on her book "History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier" (2005).

"Her work is recognized internationally," said Dr. James Badger, a member of the Hoag Lecture Series committee and professor of social foundations and leadership education in ¹û¶³´«Ã½'s College of Education. "She has delivered TED talks, served as historical consultant to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and helped design the section of the museum dedicated to the American response to the Holocaust. She has even testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Relations Committee about contemporary antisemitism and potential responses by the United States. Her work will appeal to students and faculty."

Lipstadt will deliver her lecture from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, via Zoom. The lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is necessary.

To register, visit go.ung.edu/hoaglectureseries. A confirmation email containing instructions to join the lecture will follow.

Oliver explained the speaker series moved to a digital format because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The virtual venue has its advantages.

"While we will miss the intimacy of an in-person lecture, we are excited about sharing it with more people," Oliver said. "We can bring in a wider audience. Also, people will be more comfortable attending virtually due to the pandemic."

Badger said audience members will have time to ask questions.

"To engage with the audience is important to her," he said, adding Lipstadt's speech may inspire others to act. "It is important for us as educators, students and a society to recognize and stand against anti-Semitism, racism and discrimination."

Oliver hopes it will also bring awareness to the topic of antisemitism.

"This happened in our history, is presently happening and needs to be addressed," she said.

A second speaker for the series will be announced at a later date.