Last Lecture

You decided!

The 2019 Last Lecture was given by Professor Paul "Sparky" Johnson. His lecture, titled "The Power of Play" was given on campus on April 3, 2019. If you missed the lecture, or would like to view it again, watch the recording below.

The Last Lecture series asks a speaker to answer one question in the form of an engaging public lecture: "If this was your last time to address a group of students, what would you say to them?" This event is an opportunity for a favourite Augustana faculty member to share their reflections beyond the bounds of syllabus in a fun, informal setting.

About the Last Lecture Series: Inspiring Education

The concept of a "Last Lecture" became nationally recognized in 2007 with Dr. Randy Pausch, who gave his "Last Lecture" speech on September 18, 2007 at Carnegie Mellon.

The Augustana Alumni Office, in partnership with the Augustana Students' Association (ASA), hosts Augustana's own Last Lecture to give students and former students an opportunity to celebrate the instructors who have made their UAlberta Augustana education unique and outstanding.

The U of A's Alumni Impact Survey found that when asked which U of A experience had the greatest impact on them, the overwhelming response was experience with faculty. This is both a response to that finding, and an opportunity to connect students with alumni around a shared appreciation for educational quality.