Dickinson College to Host Lecture by Dr. Ruth Westheimer
Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Photo by Marianne Rafter.
The Annual Poitras-Gleim Lecture
by Ethan Thomas '20
Dickinson welcomes renowned psychosexual therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer to present the college’s annual Poitras-Gleim Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter (ATS) Auditorium. The free event, for which tickets are required, is sold out.
Westheimer, better known as “Dr. Ruth,” is a groundbreaking champion of the idea of “sexual literacy.” Her rise to prominence began in 1980 with a radio show, Sexually Speaking, originally broadcast on WYNY-FM in New York City. Her frank discussion of sexual matters quickly gained popularity and led to four decades of mass media work for Westheimer, including her own television programs, magazine columns, books, home videos and computer software. She continues to connect with audiences through her YouTube channel, Twitter account and website. Westheimer is an adjunct professor at New York University and holds fellowship positions at Yale, Princeton and the New York Academy of Medicine. She frequently lectures at institutions across the country, and she has been named “College Lecturer of the Year” twice.
Westheimer’s presentation marks the annual Poitras-Gleim Lecture, which was endowed by a gift from Ted and Kay Gleim Poitras and provides a forum to explore and promote cross-disciplinary thought and communication. The Student Senate Academics Committee organizes and oversees the Poitras-Gleim Lecture and is tasked with fostering vibrant campus discussions about academic and political issues through seminars, lectures and debates. Previous Poitras-Gleim lecturers have included Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space; feminist author and activist Betty Friedan; and Star Trek icon George Takei.
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Published January 28, 2020