Special Events

The TMCC Distinguished Speaker Series

The TMCC Distinguished Speaker Series aims to bring a broad spectrum of speakers to the college to enrich the academic lives of students and community members. The opportunity to hear a variety of speakers and attend different events offers a greater understanding of different cultural perspectives to participants. This series was previously called the Distinguished Lecturer Series.


Past Speakers

The TMCC Distinguished Speaker Series has featured a variety of people and events, including:

Dr. Donald Johanson
Paleoanthropologist, Sept. 2011
Dr. Johanson is one of the world's most recognizable paleoanthropologists and most well-known for his finding of a 40-percent complete skeleton of a previously unknown type of ancient hominid, which was named "Lucy." Committed to sharing and explaining scientific discoveries to the general public, Johanson's outreach efforts have spanned multiple mediums--including television, books, and the award-winning science website Becoming Human.

Sam Abell
National Geographic Photographer, April 2011
Sam Abell's work has been published in National Geographic for three decades. An acclaimed landscape photographer, he is the author of several best-selling books on photography including the well-received "The Life of a Photograph." Abell is also a writer and an influential teacher throughout the world. This event was sponsored by Canon.

Mme. Jehan Sadat
World Activist and Educator, October 2009
Madame Jehan Sadat, the wife of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, has presented the face of the modern Arab woman to the Western World through her activities at home in Egypt and her participation in numerous international events. She spoke on how she challenges the popularly held world-view of the Middle Eastern woman. More information

Stephen Venables
Mountaineer, October 2009
Stephen Venables described his life of adventure, from the Southern Ocean to the summit of Everest. More information

Maggy Anthony
Author, March 2009
Maggy Anthony, author of Jung's Circle of Women: The Valkyries will speak on her experiences at the C.G. Jung Institute of Analytical Psychology.The discuss will focus on the notion of older women as role models.

Sir Chris Bonington
Mountaineer, October 2007
Chris Bonington is one of the most successful expedition leaders in the history of mountaineering and also established a reputation as an outstanding motivational speaker. More information.

Dr. Zahi Hawass
Egyptologist, March 2007
Dr. Hawass shares his expertise regarding ancient Egypt specifically the death of King Tut. More information.

LeRoy DeJolie
Navajo Photographer, March 2006
Take a Tour of the American Southwest with Navajo Photographer LeRoy DeJolie is offering the audience an insider's view from his lens of the tribal landscape, dancing and traditions of Native Americans in the desert Southwest. More information.

Marilene Phipps
Painter, Poet, and Short Story Writer from Haiti, March 2006
God, Love, and the Leap of Frogs

Paul Zarzyski
Poet, November 2005
Cowboy Poetry

Joyce Tenneson
Photographer, March 2005
The Story of a Woman: A Thirty-year Career in Art

Dr. Shaker
Chairman, Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, April 2004
The Middle East: Challenges for the Future

Native Voices Festival
March 31 to April 3, 2003
Building Bridges Between Cultures

Philippe Cousteau
The Philippe Cousteau Foundation: Continuing a Legacy, April 2002
Waters of the World

Camille Cellucci
Visual Effects Producer for the film "Titanic," April 2001
Making Movie Magic

Swami Prapannananda
Vendanta Society of Sacramento, September 2000
Hinduism: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Malcolm Miller
Renowned British Scholar, March 2000
The Stained Glass and Sculpture of Chartres Cathedral