Intellectual Programming

The Lisska Center offers intellectual and academic programming throughout the year for all members of the community–faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Through conversations with renowned scholars and authors, faculty research presentations, book discussions, and other sponsored events, Lisska seeks to support and broaden intellectual life on campus and beyond.

Sponsored by the Lisska Center for Intellectual Engagement, Minds Wide Open (formerly Monday Musings) is a series of conversations and presentations by local, national, and international scholars and authors who are pushing academic boundaries, exploring diverse topics, and engaging in dialogue across difference on a variety of topics. Minds Wide Open events are open to all members of the Denison community; external community members and friends are also welcome.

Denison faculty are continually producing cutting-edge research and scholarship in their fields. These lunches give Denison community members the chance to hear professors discuss recent publications and scholarly endeavors.

The Lisska Center hosts a book club for students, faculty, and staff, where participants engage in casual conversations over a meal about books of interest. Book selections and meeting frequency are determined at the beginning of the semester. In Spring 2025, members read Death of the Author. Fall 2025 selections are The Handmaid’s Tale and 1984.