Perkiomen School News

As a part of the school's sesquicentennial celebrations, Perkiomen School will host a series of talks on Saturday, October 19.

Presented in the style of TED Talks, the theme for the event is “Memories Build the Foundation.”

Headline speakers include Larry Jackson ’95, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Director of the Witten Center for the Core Curriculum, and a Lecturer in philosophy at Columbia University and Robyn Hannigan P ‘28, President of Ursinus College.

This event was designed and developed by Amelia Tang ’26 and will celebrate diverse opinions and unique ideas that will give the audience food for thought.

Jackson is a Dean and Lecturer at Columbia University in the City of New York, where he oversees and teaches in the Columbia College Core Curriculum, the oldest and most renowned general education program in the United States. Prior to Columbia, Jackson held academic positions at The New School, New York University, and the City University of New York. His writing has appeared in numerous academic journals and publications, and he lectures regularly on education and philosophy. He is also a member of Perkiomen School's Board of Trustees. 

Jackson received a bachelor’s degree in American studies from Skidmore College and went on to earn two master’s degrees (in liberal studies and philosophy) and a Ph.D. in philosophy from The New School for Social Research in New York City. 
 

 

Hannigan, a globally recognized environmental scientist and thought leader, was appointed the 19th president of Ursinus College in 2022, following her service as provost at Clarkson University from 2019 to 2022. Hannigan is the recipient of numerous national awards including the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences and induction as fellow to both the Geological Society of America and American Association for the Advancement of Science. Hannigan is member of the board of directors of World Media Foundation, Inc. (Living on Earth Radio) and the Blue Institute and serves on several federal, state, and local committees and boards centered on economic development and the environment.

Hannigan earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of New Jersey, a master’s in geological science from the University at Buffalo, and a master’s and Ph.D. in earth and environmental science from the University of Rochester. She has translated her spirit for innovation into several start-up companies, founded with her students, and continues to be an active, prolific researcher and mentor, garnering over $32 million in external funding and producing over 100 peer-reviewed publications with her students.