OSU-Cascades Campus annual and free "It's in the Bag" lecture series showcases the range of research and scholarship underway at the campus by a variety of faculty experts. The public is invited to the fifth lecture of the 2008-2009 series, when Associate Professor Natalie Dollar of the Liberal Studies program presents “The Grateful Dead Community: Alive and Well” on Wednesday, February 4.   

A specialist in interpersonal communication and community dialogue, and longtime fan of the Grateful Dead and a researcher of communications methods, Dollar has studied and published materials on the forms of communication between Grateful Dead fans.  In this lecture, Dollar will explore how fans of the Grateful Dead ironically have a livelier and more diverse dialogue since band member Jerry Garcia’s passing than they did during the band’s heyday.  She’ll explain how that dialogue, through its existence on satellite radio stations, is increasing the band’s fan base.  

Dollar teaches courses in intercultural and interpersonal communication, community dialogue, communication theory, youth communication outreach and group communication.  She founded The Community Dialogue Project, a program that provides educational opportunities for Central Oregonians interested in learning about dialogue as an intentional, distinct form of communication.  As part of that effort she leads, with OSU-Cascades students, an annual Community Dialogue Workshop. Prior to joining OSU-Cascades’ faculty, Dollar taught at OSU in Corvallis and was named a College of Liberal Arts Master Teacher and awarded the College of Liberal Arts Dean Wilkins Faculty Development Award.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in communication from Mississippi State University, a Master of Arts in communication theory from Arizona State University, and her doctorate in cultural communication from the University of Washington.

This lunchtime lecture will take place in Cascades Hall, Room 118, on the OSU-Cascades Campus from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

"It's in the Bag" lectures are held on the first Wednesday of each month through the month of May.  Lectures are free and the public is invited to join in and bring a brown bag lunch. No RSVP is necessary.  Complimentary beverages will be available. Audience members are asked to pick-up a free parking pass from the main office before parking.  For more information visit www.OSUcascades.edu or contact 541-322-3100 or info@osucascades.edu.