DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will welcome guest speaker Dr. Mark Naison, professor of African-American studies and history at Fordham University, on Thursday, April 19.

Naison’s lecture, “Revolt! How Ordinary People Can Do Extraordinary Things: Occupy Wall Street in Historical Perspective,” will begin at 2 p.m. in the Midtown campus Student Center Theater, 181 White St. in Danbury. The event is free and open to the public.

The lecture will honor the life and scholarship of the late Professor of English Dr. Steven D. Neuwirth, a specialist in Early American literature and American history who made significant contributions to the university’s academic program development from the 1980s until his retirement in 2003.

Naison, who directs Fordham’s Urban Studies Program, is the author of several books and more than 100 articles on African-American history, urban history and the history of sports.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.