MSU’s Seitz to headline renewed Grisham Lecture Series beginning next month
Contact: Carl Smith
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is bringing back the Grisham Lecture Series, a signature event showcasing its most distinguished faculty, next month after a five-year hiatus.
Holli Seitz, associate professor of communication, is headlining the series’ first event on Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. in Mitchell Memorial Library’s John Grisham Room.
Named after the internationally recognized best-selling author and Bulldog alum, the Grisham Master Teacher Award is one of MSU’s highest distinctions for teacher excellence—a tradition that began in 1993 after the prolific author provided funds to endow the honor.
“The revitalization of this lecture series reflects our commitment to recognizing and elevating the role of outstanding teaching. These talks offer a unique opportunity for the campus community to engage with the pedagogical insights, scholarly reflections and personal narratives of faculty who exemplify the highest standards of instruction,” said Jim Dunne, MSU associate vice president for faculty affairs. “We are especially grateful to the Grisham family for their continued support of this award and lecture series. Their generosity and vision have made it possible for Mississippi State to honor and advance the work of our most dedicated educators.”
In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, Seitz serves as a mentor in the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and as director of the Message Laboratory housed within MSU’s Social Science Research Center.
Seitz and Kelly Moser, associate professor in the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, were named the university’s latest Grisham Master Teachers in August.
As part of a new tradition, each Grisham Master Teacher will select a special individual—whether a colleague, mentor, student or family member—to provide their introduction at these events.
“This personal touch is intended to highlight the meaningful relationships and sense of community that support and inspire excellence in teaching,” Dunne said. “We look forward to welcoming the entire campus community to these inspiring events and to celebrating the contributions of our most exceptional teachers.”
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