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Facebook pioneer to discuss privacy and social media at WCSU

image of Chris Kelly
Chris Kelly

DANBURY, Conn. — The eclectic Chris Kelly — Facebook’s first lawyer, part-owner of both MoviePass and the Sacramento Kings basketball team, and one-time candidate for California attorney general – will speak at Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.

Kelly’s lecture will focus on “Privacy, Security and Safety in a Social Media World.”

As the first chief privacy officer, general counsel and head of global public policy for Facebook, Kelly helped the company grow from its college roots to the ubiquitous communications medium that it is today.

His development of the site’s safety and security policies around real-world identity and deployment of a highly trained staff for rule and law enforcement are credited as critical elements in the company’s success.

Kelly studies how to bridge the gap between tech and society as he helps citizens understand privacy in the digital age and researches what the future might hold.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. Seat reservations are requested. Visit www.wcsu.edu/giving/events to sign up.

Kelly’s lecture is sponsored by the Macricostas Family Foundation, the university’s most generous supporter, resulting in a scholarship fund, aid for student research, several lecture series, and the naming of the Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences. This endowment has ensured that innumerable students have access to Western Connecticut State University’s academic opportunities with a minimum of debt.

“Our students and the entire community are exceptionally fortunate to benefit from the generosity of Deno and Marie Macricostas and their family,” said Dr. Missy Alexander, WCSU provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “This annual lecture allows us to explore global issues with people who bring world-class credentials to our campus and bring about discussion that can lead to solutions in our daily lives.”

In addition, the Center for the Study of Culture and Values supports the regular exploration of the role of culture and values in all of aspects of society. As a result of the center’s work, Dr. Christopher Paone has been appointed as the 2018 Constantine S. and Marie C. Macricostas Endowed Chair in Hellenic and Modern Greek Studies. Paone is an expert in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy with concentrations in ethics, the history of philosophy, logic and social and political philosophy. As the Macricostas Scholar, Paone will teach in the Philosophy and Humanistic Studies Department and schedule lectures on the Greek and Hellenic experience for the Macricostas Lecture Series.

Also under the auspices of the center, Dr. Samuel Ortencio Flores will lecture on campus. Flores is assistant professor of Classics at the College of Charleston. He is a Greek philologist who specializes in ancient philosophy. He regularly teaches all levels of Greek, as well as a variety of courses on Greek and Roman literature and culture. His research focuses on Plato’s use and appropriation of literary and intellectual trends.

 

 

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.