Hub City Bookshop Welcomes Neil deGrasse Tyson to Converse University

Hub City Bookshop is excited to welcome author and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to the Converse University Twichell Auditorium at Zimmerli Performance Center on Tuesday, September 27th for an evening celebrating the release of his new book, Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization. Bringing his signature insight to some of the most crucial fault lines of our time—war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race—Tyson's book provides an antidote to the earth-bound point-of-view that so often divides us in contemporary times. Deploying Tyson's scientific expertise toward the development of a cosmic perspective, Starry Messenger challenges us to recalibrate our priorities and remember exactly how precious it is to be alive. The author will be joined in conversation by Dr. Will Case, Converse University Associate Professor of Chemistry.

This is a ticketed event, with each ticket including a signed copy of the book. Tickets are available through the Converse University website. Just click the button below to purchase. *Please note that you must create an account on the site in order to access the $30 student tickets!*

The event will begin at 7pm, with doors opening at 6:15. Can't wait to see you there!

TICKETS

About the Book

Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time—war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race—in a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all.

In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment—a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science.

After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life’s priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched.

With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.

About the Author

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist and the author of the #1 bestselling Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, among other books. He is the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, where he has served since 1996. Dr. Tyson is also the host and cofounder of the Emmy-nominated popular podcast StarTalk and its spinoff StarTalk Sports Edition, which combine science, humor, and pop culture. He is a recipient of 21 honorary doctorates, the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences, and the Distinguished Public Service Medal from NASA. Asteroid 13123 Tyson is named in his honor. He lives in New York City.

About the Conversation Partner

Dr. Case joined the department in 2015 as an assistant professor. His primary teaching responsibilities include general chemistry, inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. He is an avid promoter of technology in the classroom and uses online homework and a “flipped” classroom model to promote student learning. Dr. Case’s research interests fall within the broad areas of separation science, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chemical education. His research at Converse explores the development of first generation biosensors for the detection of galactose and other small molecules implicated in various molecular diseases. His work has an ultimate goal of identifying potential biosensor components that can serve as templates for targeting an array of biological analytes. During his first year at Converse Dr. Case was awarded a $127,000 DRP Target Faculty Grant from the SC IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence. In addition, he was selected as the 2017 recipient of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award.