BHSU Announces Spring 2026 Geek Speak Lineup

January 28, 2026

Black Hills State University is officially announcing the spring dates for its annual Geek Speak lineup, a series of free lectures presented by faculty and guest speakers hosted by the University Honors Program.  

Geek Speak was founded in 2013 by Dr. Courtney Huse Wika, a professor of English at BHSU. “Thirteen years in, Geek Speak remains a commons for curiosity, where expertise is generous, enthusiasm is taken seriously, and students, faculty, staff, and the community gather in the shared work of lifelong learning” said Huse Wika. This semesterfeatures an array of topics, including a historical look at the typewriter, a vision of a museum in Spearfish, and a poetry workshop.  

All lectures are held Mondays at 4 p.m. in Jonas 110 on the BHSU Campus and are open to the public. 

For more information on upcoming Geek Speak sessions, visit BHSU.edu/GeekSpeak or contact Dr. Katrina Jensen at Katrina.Jensen@BHSU.edu 

 

Spring 2026 Geek Speak Sessions:  

Feb 2: “Why Is Japan’s Suicide Rate So High?” by Yukari Tadano 

Feb 9: “The History and Impact of the Typewriter: An Analogue History.” by Ezekiel Bucks 

Feb 23: “Race: A Very Serious Fiction” Spoiler: It’s All Made Up (and Why That Still Matters) by Dr. Lesleigh Owen 

Mar 2: “The Girl at the Edge of the World: What Miyazaki Can Offer Us on Hope” by Dr. Katelyn Kelly  

Mar 9: “Transitioning the Meier House and Property into the Spearfish Museum” by Rosalie Aslesen and Katherine Kemp 

Mar 23: “Hitler’s British Fangirl: Unity Mitford and the Appeals of Fascism” by Dr. Tina Van Kley   

Mar 30: “Slow Tourism and Human Powered Travel” by Greg Strobel  

Apr 13: “A Poet’s Guide to Foraging: Creating Found Poetry” by Dr. Courtney Huse Wika