Colorado Mesa University’s Civic Forum will present Temple Grandin, PhD in the University Center Meyer Ballroom on March 5
Grandin, a professor at Colorado State University in the College of Agriculture Sciences, is a renowned American professor, author and animal behavior expert, best known for her pioneering work in livestock handling and autism advocacy. Despite facing childhood challenges associated with autism, she excelled academically, particularly in fields related to science and engineering. Dr. Grandin was one of the first people to advocate for humane treatment of livestock for slaughter and has helped improve livestock handling processes. Her methods transformed the meat industry’s approach to animal welfare and earned her international recognition. She speaks widely about autism, challenging stereotypes and promotingunderstanding of the neurodiverse community.
Grandin will visit with CMU Tech vet tech and agriculture science students early in the day and then will offer two public lectures beginning at 4pm in the Meyer Ballroom. Both lectures are free and open to the public with a ticket. Donations will be accepted with proceeds benefitting CMU Tech students.
Free tickets for the event can be found by visiting CMUstages.com. Details on the presentations are below.
The Importance of Good Stockmanship • 4pm
"The Importance of Good Stockmanship" will focus on the essential principles of livestock handling, with a particular emphasis on cattle. It will explore key behaviors and techniques that every good stockperson should understand, such as using the flight zone and point of balance to guide animals calmly and efficiently. The talk will also highlight the importance of minimizing visual distractions in handling facilities, like shadows, dangling chains, or moving people, to ensure smooth animal movement through chutes.
5pm Intermission
My Experience with Autism • 5:30pm
"My Experience with Autism" will explore Temple Grandin's childhood and early years, highlighting the challenges and successes she faced in her personal and professional development. She will share how mentors, such as her mother, teachers, and peers, played a key role in her growth and provide valuable insights into how individuals with autism experience the world. With a focus on sensory processing and "seeing in pictures," Grandin will discuss how these unique perspectives contribute to problem-solving and collaboration of the minds.