Last Lectures by local professors

Inspirational professors can be found within the walls of every higher learning institution in Hampton Roads. In our "Last Lectures" series, Campus Beat will showcase different professors as they discuss the experiences that molded them into the person they are today.

Randy Pausch was a Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist whose "last lecture" about facing terminal cancer became an Internet sensation and a best-selling book.

Pausch was diagnosed with incurable pancreatic cancer in September 2006. His popular last lecture at Carnegie Mellon in September 2007 garnered international attention and was viewed by millions on the Internet.

The 2007 speech was part of a series Carnegie Mellon called "The Last Lecture," where professors were asked to think about what matters to them most and give a hypothetical final talk. The name of the lecture series was changed to "Journeys" before Pausch spoke, something he joked about in his lecture.

If you have a professor who has a compelling "Last Lecture" send an email to campusbeat@wavy.com. Tell us why you believe the professor should be featured in this series.

For more on Randy Pausch click on the following links:

http://www.thelastlecture.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo