EIU Media Relations

EIU-Sponsored Events to Focus on "Darwin Day"

While many recognize Feb. 12, 1809, as the date on which Abraham Lincoln was born, few realize that the 16th president entered into this world on the same day as naturalist Charles Darwin.

That number continues to rise, however, as individuals and groups world-wide join efforts in celebrating Darwin's contributions to modern society, humanities and the sciences. British-born Darwin, known primarily for his efforts at introducing the idea of evolution through natural selection, is recognized internationally as the author of "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection."

This year, Eastern Illinois University will once again join a myriad of academic institutions in commemorating Darwin's contributions by sponsoring educational programs designed to teach others about Darwin and his theory. As part of this commemoration, Eastern plans to host three separate events, all of which are free and open to the public.

A showing of the film, "Flock of Dodos: The Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus," will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, in Booth Library, Conference Room 4440. This comical documentary looks at both sides in the controversy over the teaching of evolution and the alternative -- intelligent design.

Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University, St. Louis, will lecture on "Walking Back through Evolutionary Time" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the Physical Science Building, Room 2120.

The final event of the week, a lecture titled "400 Million Years on Six Legs: Evolution of the Insects," will be presented by Michael Engle from the University of Kansas. This event will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in Eastern's Life Sciences Building , Room 3080.