Third annual Mosaic Lecture to focus on misuse of statistics

An expert on mathematics will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the misuse of statistics in American media today during the third annual Mosaic Lecture on March 30.

Talithia Williams, associate professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, will examine how statistics help persuade public opinion and present three examples of where they have been misused.

“Lies, Deceit and Misrepresentation: The Distortion of Statistics in America,” is LIB 100 approved and will take place at 7 p.m. in Room 123 of Manitou Hall on the Allendale Campus.

Attendees are encouraged to stay after the lecture for a dessert reception.

‘Girl Rising’ documentary screening

The campus community is invited to learn more about the power of education through a screening of the documentary “Girl Rising” on March 25.

“Girl Rising” follows the lives of nine girls throughout the world subjected to arranged marriages, child slavery and other forms of oppression. Through the power of education, these girls are able move beyond their hardships and become real forces for change.

The screening of “Girl Rising” is set to take place from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. in Loosemore Auditorium, located inside the DeVos Center.

Lois Smith-Owens, professor in the school of social work at Grand Valley State University, will follow up the screening with a presentation about Little Stars at Mannenberg, a school she founded in South Africa.

Student organization to host free stand-up comedy event

The Free Speech Standup student organization at Grand Valley State University will host a free standup comedy event in the Kirkhof Center on March 24.

Comedians in the event lineup include winners from Last Laker Standing as well as performers from GR’s Funniest Person, Comedy for a Cause and LaughFest.

“Tapping Into Your Funny Bone” is set to take place from 9:15 p.m. until 10:45 p.m. in Room 2263 of the Kirkhof Center. The event is not family-friendly and will include explicit language from some comedians.

For more information, visit the Free Speech Stand-up Facebook page or email [email protected]

‘Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality’

Elizabeth Armstrong, professor of sociology at the University of Michigan, will visit Grand Valley State University to discuss the problems of higher education during a presentation on March 25.

In her presentation, Armstrong will discuss ways in which to increase accessibility of higher education for everyone. Armstrong co-authored the 2013 book, “Paying for the Party,” which goes into detail on why higher education often fails its students.

“Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality,” is LIB 100/201 approved and will take place from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Room 1101 of the P. Douglas Kindschi Hall of Science.

GVSU to host FIRST Robotics District Competition

Forty-one teams of high school students will pit robots they designed against one another in a game of “Stronghold” during the FIRST Robotics District Competition on March 25 and 26.

In the game of “Stronghold,” students are challenged to score points by weakening and capturing the opposing team’s towers using only their robots. More than 1,000 high school students are expected to attend the event.

Each team was given six weeks to build their robots. The winner of the competition will move on to the state championship scheduled for April 13-16.

The competition is set to take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 25 and 26 inside the Fieldhouse Arena, located on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus.