Free lecture series debuts - 03 SEPT 2026

USCA free lecture series debuts at new location on Sept. 17 

AIKEN, S.C. – Aiken in the Exchange (formerly Aiken in the Alley), a free lecture series hosted by USCA’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences returns this month in its new location, The Aiken Energy & Innovation Exchange (AEIX) inside the Tom Young Center for Research and Innovation at 151 Newberry Street NW. 

“We have enjoyed bringing lunchtime lectures, conversations, and performances to Downtown Aiken for the past three years,” says Dean Forrest Anderson. “We are thrilled to move to our new location for our fourth year, and excited about the new name, Aiken in the Exchange, which is exactly what our series is all about – an exchange of ideas between faculty and the community.”  

Aiken in the Exchange kicks off at 11 a.m. Sep. 17 with “AI vs. Us,” a project conceived by guest artist James Blackmon, education director of the award-winning Mad-Lab Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, and brought to Aiken by Professor and Etherredge Center Executive Director Paul Crook. Audiences will see two ten-minute plays written from the same prompt one by a human playwright, one by ChatGPT. Actors perform both without knowing which is which, and the audience votes on the authorship of each. 

Crook says, “We’re excited to see what develops here in Aiken, and we’re thrilled to have James join us as a guest artist to guide the process.” 

Future events will showcase a talk on South Carolina and the Revolutionary War; adventure and conspiracy on the History Channel; the Vietnam Veterans Oral History Project, a joint project between faculty and students in history and emerging media; and a holiday musical performance starring students and faculty member Dr. Keely Rhodes. 

For more information, please contact the CAHSS Dean’s Office at 803-641-3784. This is a wonderful opportunity to see exciting lectures and performances in the new Aiken Energy & Innovation Exchange. 

Schedule of Events: