Dean Potvin gives faculty lecture May 7 "From Organisms to Institutions: Searching for Answers in Complex Environments" is the final University Faculty Lecture talk for the season. Dr. Martha Potvin, UND Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will give the talk Wednesday, May 7, at the North Dakota Museum of Art. A reception starts at 4 p.m. and the talk follows at 4:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. In honor of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the University and the tenth anniversary of the re-establishment of the lecture series at UND, the committee of Chester Fritz Professors coordinating the University Faculty Lecture Series invited the deans of colleges to speak on their research. This occasion allows the deans to reflect on the important role that their scholarly work plays not only in their career path but in their work on campus today. And, again to break precedent a little, the committee commemorated President Charles Kupchella's tenure at UND by inviting him to give the opening lecture ("Chickens") Oct. 18. The lecture series is sponsored by the UND Office of the President. Other upcoming lectures: Sept. 11, Dr. Bruce Smith, dean of the UND John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. Martha Potvin Dr. Potvin, UND Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, since 2001, is the eighth person to serve as the full-time, permanent dean of UND's oldest college. Potvin holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Connecticut, a master's in botany and plant ecology from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to coming to UND, Potvin served as a faculty member and administrator at West Chester University of Pa. She advanced to full professor and chair of her department, and also directed a project to coordinate development of a model green campus before being named interim dean of graduate studies and extended education. Potvin was named UND interim provost and vice president of academic affairs in 2004. Potvin has been the author of numerous publications and served as a member of several national professional organizations including a current appointment as board member on the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. In addition to serving on numerous UND committees and councils she has been an active advocate in the community for the arts and for the equality of women.