Celebrating Darwin’s birthday and legacy

	Charles Darwin

Lehigh University will mark Charles Darwin’s 199th birthday with a celebration of his lasting influence on science and society. “Darwin’s Birthday Party,” a lecture and hour-long celebration, will be held at 4:10 p.m. Feb. 20 in Whitaker 303.
The event is free and open to the public.
Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection serves as the foundation for the biological sciences. The birthday event, sponsored by the scientific research society Sigma Xi, will examine how Darwin’s ideas have also contributed to other disciplines—including geology, philosophy, economics and theology.
“Darwin is really the basis for all biology and we want the world to know that we honor his contributions,” says John Nyby, professor of biological sciences and an organizer of the event. “His ideas have really radiated out and influenced other scientific areas as well.”
As part of the celebration, five faculty members are slated to discuss how Darwin’s work relates to their respective fields. The faculty speakers are: Sean Mullen, assistant professor of biological sciences; Ed Evenson, professor of earth and environmental sciences; Mark Bickhard, professor of philosophy; Jim Dearden, professor of economics; and Lloyd Steffen, professor of religion studies and university chaplain.
The event is also sponsored by the departments of biological sciences, earth and environmental sciences, philosophy, economics, religion studies and the chaplain’s office.
--Tricia Long