Learning the History of the Boll Weevil Should be Interesting!

Staff Writer

   The Journalism Club, in partnership with the Student Activities Board, will be hosting its eighth Last Lecture Series in the Memorial Classroom Building at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11.

   Lynne Thompson, professor of Forest Entomology, will be speaking on the subject, “Our mascot the Boll Weevil: why so magnificent.”

   The Last Lecture Series at UAM gives the professor speaking a chance to put it all out on the line.  The professor is asked if they could only give one last lecture in their life, what would it be on?  This gives the professor a chance to evaluate what is important to them.  It makes them think about if they could only tell their students one more thing, what would it be?  This gives the professor a chance to make an impact.

   Previous speakers for UAM’s Last Lecture Series have evaluated the importance of this speech. While getting to watch a last lecture, you get to see into that person. They tell what their topic is and then hammer on why it is important to them.

   Paul Francis, professor of Agriculture and a previous last lecture speaker, told about the importance of good soil.  He said he believed having good soil in your life led to having “good roots.”  He also said he believed the good soil for your life included your friends, how you help others, wisdom and knowledge.  Being very familiar with real dirt soil, he was able to compare it with real life situations and give his own definition of “good soil.”

   Thompson teaches a class called Forest Pests.  If anyone understands about bugs, it would be him.  It will be exciting to see his take on the boll weevil and the historical facts on why it is the best mascot.

   After the commercial showing UAM’s mascot the Boll Weevil as the worst mascot existing, it will be interesting to see why Thompson thinks the Boll Weevil is so magnificent.

   The Boll Weevil was known as a terror to farmers back when it was named UAM’s mascot.  Even though the Boll Weevil appears to be just a bug, it was known as “evil” and could be devastating to farmers and their families. At the time, there was nothing more evil than a Boll Weevil.

   During the lecture, you will get to learn why the Boll Weevil is the best mascot and why it is so magnificent. There will also be a PowerPoint presentation. What better way to defend your mascot than to know some historical background behind it?

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