This fall, Centralia College is hosting its first ever Campus Integrated Theme designed to bring students, employees and community members together through shared inquiry and action, according to a news release from the college.
The inaugural theme, Food Security, focuses on how food systems intersect with environmental justice, public health, poverty and equity, according to the release.
In addition to the special events, the campus cafeteria, the Blazer Bite Café, is hosting Sustainable Thursdays through December. There will be a healthy, budget-friendly lunch option every Thursday for $5. The café is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All events listed below are open to the community. All events are free, but donations to the campus food pantry are appreciated. Unless otherwise noted, no tickets are needed. The full schedule is available at www.centralia.edu.
A session titled Hunger Games Film and Discussion will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the TransAlta Commons 122. It will consist of a screening of “The Hunger Games” with popcorn followed by a discussion led by Centralia College English Professor Dr. Jeff Birkenstein, according to the release.
Food in Film and Literature, a lecture, will be held at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the TransAlta Commons 105B. Birkenstein will discuss how food emerges as a theme in film and literature.
Agro-Tourism and the Future of Food, a lecture, will be held at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, in the TransAlta Commons 105B. Centralia College Professor Julie Tate-Libby will discuss her research on agrotourism and the future of food in Washington state, the news release stated.
The Class Book Group Discussion will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the TransAlta Commons 137. It will discuss Stephanie Land’s memoir “Class” before she comes to speak at Centralia College on Nov. 3. This book group is facilitated by Timberland Regional Library, which has copies available for checkout, according to the release.
The Meal Book Group Meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Kirk Library 113. It will consist of a group discussion of the graphic novel “Meal,” with copies available for checkout at the Kirk Library at Centralia College.
The Stephanie Land Keynote Presentation will be held from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Corbet Theatre.
Land, bestselling author of “Maid and Class,” will discuss the themes from her memoirs. The presentation will be followed by a book signing and light reception. Visit www.centralia.edu to get free tickets.
The Hungry to Learn Film and Discussion will occur at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in the TransAlta Commons 122. This film follows four college students as they navigate food insecurity. A discussion facilitated by the Timberland Regional Library will follow, the release stated.
A Hunger Banquet will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 19, in the TransAlta Commons 105B/C. This event brings statistics about global poverty to life. Guests randomly select meal tickets matching high-, middle- or low-income earners. Where guests end up is all luck. Free tickets will be available at www.centralia.edu after Nov. 1, according to the release.
The Cooking on a Budget Workshop will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Blazer Bite Cafe in the TransAlta Commons. Local Chef Tim Filer will lead a workshop on how to create delicious, healthy, budget-friendly meals, according to the release.
These events are sponsored by the Centralia College Foundation, Timberland Regional Library, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, CHOICE Community Health and Associated Students of Centralia College.
