The Merle E. Simmons Distinguished Alumni (MESDA) Lecture series was initiated in 1996 to honor Professor Emeritus Merle E. Simmons for his contributions to the department and university. Each year, a distinguished alumna or alumnus is invited to visit Bloomington, present a lecture and reconnect with his/her roots.
The MESDA lecture is one of the department's premier events and has proven to facilitate our missions by encouraging mentorship, recognizing scholarship and uniting with alumni and friends.
Previous MESDA Lecturers, with their affiliation at the time of the lecture:
The College of Arts