This year’s second University Lectures series event, featuring Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation magazine, will focus on the state of both the nation and journalism.

Heuvel will speak at 7:30 p.m. in Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel on Tuesday. The lecture, ‘On the Nation and Our Political Movement,’ will focus on the importance of grassroots democracy and independent journalism. Heuvel will also be speaking at the Syracuse Peace Council’s 75th anniversary.

‘She will be speaking about movements — their ability to remake the political and social landscape, but also the challenge of sustaining them in this new era,’ said Barbara Stewart, Heuvel’s assistant, in an email. ‘And she will also talk about the state of journalism — where it’s headed and what we can do about it.’

The Nation is a weekly magazine that has been devoted to starting critical and unbiased conversation about political and social subjects for 150 years, according to the magazine’s mission statement.

Esther Gray, senior administrator for academic affairs, praised Heuvel’s success in her career and said she thinks Heuvel’s understanding of the political environment will benefit the SU community.

‘Besides being an amazing journalist for many years, she has been the recipient of several public service awards from numerous groups for her stand on such issues as civil liberties, women issues and discrimination,’ Gray said. ‘Her experience and accumulated knowledge makes her a perfect person to speak to our students, faculty and community.’

Hoang Murphy, a sophomore policy studies major, said he looks forward to Heuvel’s lecture and to hear her opinions on the current state of the nation’s politics as the 2012 election approaches.

Gray said she hopes students, like Murphy, who are interested in the country’s development will be inspired to continue to stand up to political and social injustices.

The Syracuse Peace Council supports this grassroots spirit.

Founded in 1936, the council is a community-based organization that is devoted to anti-war and social justice movements, according to the organization’s statement of purpose.

‘Katrina vanden Heuvel is our tribute to its anniversary,’ Gray said.

Andy Mager, a staff member of the council, described the organization’s newsletter as having similar responsibilities as The Nation.

‘It does what The Nation does: It provides an alternative view to the political current,’ Mager said. ‘It’s kind of our own grassroots movement.’

cbhutton@syr.edu

Published on October 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm