ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University will begin its Spring 2026 Noon Forum series Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the Williams Library Round Room.

The first forum, “The Myth of Racism,” will be led by Ken Blanchard, professor emeritus of political science. Blanchard will discuss how abstract concepts such as race and racism are used in the social sciences and why he believes those concepts can be misleading when used as political weapons. He will argue that racism does not exist because race does not exist, describing race as a continuum rather than a category. He will also address the biological evolution of that continuum and the harm he believes occurs when the concept of race is weaponized in contemporary politics.

The series continues Wednesday, Feb. 18, with Jon Schaff, director of Northern’s Center for Public History and Civic Engagement. Schaff will examine civility and whether it can or should be rekindled during a time of bitter, polarized politics. He will ask whether civility is a virtue or whether it can be used as a form of capitulation.

Later in the semester, Bill Wieland will present “A musician’s take on ‘The Last Lecture I’d Ever Give.’” That forum will be held Thursday evening, April 23, in the Johnson Fine Arts Center.

Noon Forum events are free and open to the public and typically meet each Wednesday at noon in the Beulah Williams Library Round Room. For detailed descriptions of upcoming forums, visit the Northern State University website.

Spring 2026 Noon Forum schedule:

• Feb. 11: “The Myth of Racism,” Ken Blanchard
• Feb. 18: “Is Civility a Virtue?” Jon Schaff
• Feb. 25: “Good News!” Ron Parker
• March 4: “Beyond the Degree: Why Microcredentials Matter,” Jennifer Deutsch and panel (forum moved to CETL Room)
• March 11: “Teaching at a Breaking Point: Technology, Burnout and the Future of Education,” Anna Schwan and panel
• March 18: Spring break (no forum)
• March 25: Bach’s Lunch (no forum)
• April 1: “Democracy and Double Standards,” Ken Blanchard and panel
• April 8: Undergraduate Research Forum (no Noon Forum)
• April 15: “Has America Passed Its Peak?” Steven Usitalo
• April 22: “Shootout at Pine Ridge,” Jaeden Shaving
• April 23: “A musician’s take on ‘The Last Lecture I’d Ever Give,’” Bill Wieland (Thursday evening, Johnson Fine Arts Center)
• April 29: Speech and Debate Forum, Justin Gus Foote and students
  

For more information, contact Art Marmorstein, professor of history, at Art.Marmorstein@northern.edu.