USU Eastern Speaker Series
In conjunction with the America 250 Utah project coordinated with the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, Utah State University Eastern presents the Spring 2025 Speaker Series.
2026 Presentations
January 28, 2026 | 6:00 pm | CIB 101
The Commons
A Brief History of a Powerful Idea
(and how it shapes our lives)
Michael Harris
Assistant Librarian | USU Eastern
What quality do “Steamboat Willie,” the Grand Canyon, and your local library all share? They all exist within the “commons” that seek to protect and make available our cultural property that can enhance and enrich all of our lives. From the physical commons such as National Parks or the local city park, to the “public domain” of intellectual property like the works of Shakespeare or the first Mickey Mouse cartoon, to public services like your local library, the “commons” is an idea in political and economic theory that there are things that should be held jointly and governed by “the people” as a benefit to all. This talk will explore the ideas that serve as the foundation that so many of our “best ideas” spring.
Speaker Bio
Michael W. Harris is the Assistant Librarian and Head of Eastern and Statewide Services at Utah State University Eastern. With a background in archives, digital preservation, and research instruction, he holds an M.S. in Library and Information Science and a Ph.D. in Musicology. His publications span film music, media history, and librarianship, and he frequently presents on space planning, assessment, and third space theory. Harris is dedicated to expanding equitable access and strengthening community-centered library services.
February 25, 2026 | 6:00 pm | CIB 101
'The Best Idea We Ever Had'
Wallace Stegner and Artistic Traditions of America's National Parks
Michaelann Nelson
Associate Professor - English | USU Eastern
In 1955, famed author and Utahn, Wallace Stegner, wrote an impassioned plea to the American people on behalf of Dinosaur National Monument to advocate against a dam that was being proposed on the Green River that would have flooded Dinosaur National Monument. Stegner could not believe that the United States government would violate the sanctity of a national park unit. Stegner was successful in his quest and became an outspoken defender of America's national parks. This talk will focus on some key artists and writers who have played a pivotal role in using their work to help advocate on behalf of America's national parks.
Speaker Bio
Michaelann Nelson is an English professor at Utah State University Eastern whose research focuses on environmental rhetoric and literature. She has written extensively about environmental issues of the Southwest and is currently working on a book about the environmental rhetoric of Glen Canyon on the Colorado River. In addition to her research, Nelson is an award-winning teacher committed to mentoring student research, cultivating critical thinking, and meaningful community engagement. She also directs the USU Eastern Writing Center.
March 25, 2026 | 6:00 pm | CIB 101
Legacy in the Balance
Utah's Mighty 5 and the Economic Impact of National Parks
Doug Miller
Professional Practice Associate Professor - Marketing and Strategy | USU Eastern
When the National Park System was established, its purpose was simple yet profound: to preserve America’s most treasured landscapes for future generations. Today, that vision has grown into an economic force, with national parks contributing over $55 billion annually to the U.S. economy. Nowhere is this effect more apparent than in Utah’s “Mighty 5,” which serve millions of visitors, generate billions in revenue, support thousands of workers, and sustain gateway communities across the state. This success, while meaningful, raises an important
question: has the powerful economic impact of the parks begun to overshadow their original purpose of preservation? This talk will explore that balance—how the National Park System can fuel growth and opportunity while remaining true to its enduring mission of protecting America’s natural and cultural heritage.
Speaker Bio
Doug Miller is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Entrepreneurial Network and Director of the Economic Development Center at Utah State University Eastern. A lifelong advocate for rural vitality, he helps communities across southeastern Utah harness their proximity to national parks and public lands for sustainable growth. His work highlights how America’s parks are not only treasures of beauty and conservation but also powerful drivers of entrepreneurship, tourism, and local prosperity.