Annual Bitar Memorial Lecture Series

Dr. Byron I. Bitar

The Dr. Byron I. Bitar Memorial Lecture in Philosophy was endowed by the William C. Kriner Family in memory of Geneva College’s beloved professor of a quarter-century, in order to continue his legacy and vision for philosophy. The Lecture was inaugurated in 2004, a year after Dr. Bitar’s untimely death. Past Bitar Lecturers include renowned philosophers Stephen Evans, Paul Helm, Nicholas Wolterstorff, and Linda Zagzebski.

The 2012 Lecturer was Alvin Plantinga. In addition to the lectures, the Bitar event includes a dinner with the lecturer for faculty and invited guests from Geneva and other institutions, to honor the Lectures’ endowing families, the William Kriners and the family of Byron Bitar. It features the announcement of the annual Bitar Cash Prize for best student philosophy paper, a gift from Mrs. Gail Bitar. Also there is a dinner for philosophy majors, a master class, for Geneva students, and a coffee with philosophy program alumni, all with the Lecturer.

Dr. Nancey Murphy is our 2012-13 Bitar Lecturer. The Lectures will be held March 20-21, 2013.

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Past Bitar Lecturers include

2004-05: Dr. Stephen Evans, Baylor University – “Can Love be Commanded?: Kierkegaard on the Foundations of Moral Obligation”
2005-06: Dr. Paul Helm – “John Calvin’s Big Idea”
2006-07: Dr. Nicholas Wolterstorff – "Love and Justice"
2007-08: Linda Zagzebski – "Self-Trust and Religious Belief"
2008-09: Dr. James K.A. Smith – "A Liturgical Phenomenology for a Post-Secular Age"
2009-10: R.J. Snell – "Culture of Boredom, Culture of Death"
2010-11: Dr. Paul K. Moser – “Expecting a Severe God.”
2011-12: Dr. Alvin Plantinga – “Science, Religion and Naturalism”

For further information:
Email rmfrazie@geneva.edu, emeek@geneva.edu or call 724-847-6700.

Philosophy at Geneva College…
“…Engaging the philosophical conversation, honing critical skills and passions, cultivating wisdom, for service, for living; in submission to Jesus Christ the Truth.”