The co-author of a 2010 book that stirred debate about the role of higher education in America will deliver a lecture at the UALR this month.

New York University sociology professor Dr. Richard Arum will deliver a lecture titled “Academically Adrift: Why Students Do Not Learn Much In College and Why It Matters.”

The free lecture, which will focus on research into what happens during a student’s first two years of college, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 16, in the UALR Student Services Center, Room 104.

Arum and his co-author Josipa Roksa of the University of Virginia became household names when their original book, “Academically Adrift,” said campus environments often coddle and entertain students rather than challenge them.

Both concluded that more than one in three college seniors were no better at writing, critical thinking, and reasoning than they were as freshmen.

Arum is a professor and director of the Education Research Program of the Social Science Research Council.

He is author of several books including “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses” and “Aspiring Adults Adrift: Tentative Transitions of College Graduates.”

A luncheon discussion and book signing will follow at the UALR Bailey Alumni Center from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. The luncheon requires an RSVP to reserve seating and may be made by emailing atle@ualr.edu.

The UALR Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence is sponsor of the event.