Myths and Realities of Rural America Take Center Stage at Hartwick College’s 2025 Hardy Chair Lecture

At 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, Tim Slack, professor of sociology at Louisiana State University (LSU), will deliver the 2025 Hardy Chair Lecture in Shineman Chapel House. Titled “Rural and Small-Town America: Myths and Misunderstandings,” the lecture is free and open to the public.

The lecture, hosted by the Hartwick’s Department of Sociology, Criminology and Human Services and the Alpha Phi Sigma’s Pi Gamma Gamma Chapter, brings notable scholars in sociology or criminal justice to the College campus to share their expertise and address current topics and issues.

Slack’s research focuses on social stratification and social demography, often with a focus on rural populations and rural-urban differences. He has published extensively, with over 80 journal articles, book chapters and additional publications to his credit. In 2024, with Shannon Monnat (Syracuse University), Slack published the book Rural and Small-Town America: Context, Composition, and Complexities (University of California Press).

He frequently delivers research presentations at the meetings of major professional societies and for policy-oriented audiences. Slack’s expertise has also been sought for stories produced by major media outlets, such as The New York Times, USA Today, and The Advocate. He is the recipient of the LSU Rainmaker Award, LSU Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award, and LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, all university-wide honors.

The Hardy Chair Lecture Series, endowed by Dr. H. Claude Hardy, has a rich history of hosting distinguished speakers who connect their academic studies with information of interest to the contemporary community. Past speakers have included luminaries such as Walter Dunn, Gary LaFree, Amy Fitzgerald, Tim Daly and Joel Best.

For more information, contact Assistant Professor of Sociology Jennifer LaRose at 607-431-4951 or [email protected].