That
Luis Eduardo Luna deserves an honorary degree from a liberal
arts college is proven by the fact that he was nominated for
it by representatives of five departments at St. Lawrence: geology,
modern languages, biology, speech and theatre, and the art gallery.
Perhaps this breadth of expertise should not be surprising from
one who claims both Colombian and Finnish citizenship, has degrees
or certificates from universities in seven countries, speaks
eight languages and is a senior lecturer in Spanish at the Swedish
School of Economics in Finland, an elected Fellow of the Linnean
Society of London, and an Associate of the Botanical Museum at
Harvard.
Professor Luna effectively bridges and integrates the humanities,
sciences and arts through his study of and work in ethnobotany,
anthropology, phytochemistry, religious iconography, art and
languages. He lectures and give seminars around the world on
Latin American religious diversity, shamanism and the therapeutic
use of sacred plants as a way of helping to preserve and extend
the rich knowledge of indigenous and mestizo peoples.
Professor Luna's connections to St. Lawrence are similarly wide-ranging.
He has co-edited a book with Professor of Modern Languages Steven
White, curated a Brush Art Gallery exhibition of the work of
visionary artists, fit into his global circumnavigation lectures
to several different audiences on campus, and led a faculty development
trip to Peru. He has expressed enthusiastic appreciation for
St. Lawrence's innovative approaches to disciplinary and interdisciplinary
teaching and research. For connecting with us in so many ways,
and for his outstanding contributions in research, teaching,
and advocacy, St. Lawrence gratefully presents Luis Eduardo Luna
the degree Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
