Kansas State University

SALINA -- From the long-standing argument of gun control to the newly minted hot topic of health care, Kansas State University Salina will once again present its open forum for the community to discuss and learn about a current issue affecting society.

The Civic Luncheon Lecture for February will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in the College Center conference room. This month's topic will be the unrest in Syria. Ranin Kazemi, associate professor of history on the Manhattan campus, will lead the conversation "What the Syrian conflict can teach us about the Middle East." Kazemi is a historian of Iran, modern North Africa and the contemporary Middle East.

The Civic Luncheon Lecture Series is now in its second year and director Greg Stephens hopes the series offers more than just lectures. He wants to not only inform the public, but also foster conversations and encourage opinions.

"I think the biggest hurdle is getting people to care about these issues when they aren't directly affected by them," said Stephens, who is an associate professor of arts, sciences and business at K-State Salina. "I appreciate that people want to come and listen, but my goal with the series is to inspire the guests to be an active participant at the assembly and beyond."

The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch or purchase their lunch at the K-State Cafe and bring their tray into the conference room.

For more information on the series, contact Stephens at 785-819-6887 or gregs@k-state.edu, or visit http://www.salina.k-state.edu/civicluncheon/purpose.html. Two more Civic Luncheon Lectures will be offered in the spring semester, on March 13 and April 10.