Visiting Flagler College Professor Paracer to Discuss "Superorganism"

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL (11/02/2011)(readMedia)-- Surinder Paracer, Ph.D., visiting professor of biology at Flagler College and author, will speak on "Superorganism: Triumph of Cooperation" at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Gamache-Koger Theater located inside the Ringhaver Student Center at 50 Sevilla St. in St. Augustine. The lecture is part of a new college series, "Ideas and Images: Scholars and Artists in Residence."

In the last 50 years, Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has gone through new conceptual advances. In this lecture, Paracer will discuss the origin and the changing landscape of the concept of superorganism and explore the evolution and maintenance of cooperation among individuals.

Since 1970, Paracer has been on the faculty of Worcester State University in Worcester, Mass., and is the co-author of "Symbiosis: An Introduction to Biological Associations." He received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis and has participated in advanced studies in biology and the history of science at the University of Massachusetts, Harvard University and Yale University.

"Ideas and Images: Scholars and Artists in Residence" is a new program at Flagler College. Throughout the academic season, the college will feature an international composition of artists and authors, introducing a fresh and creative component to the greater St. Augustine community. Each event is free and open to the public. Call (904) 819-6282 or visit flagler.edu/our-community for more information.

Flagler College is an independent, four-year, comprehensive baccalaureate college located in St. Augustine, Fla. The college offers 24 majors, 29 minors and two pre-professional programs, the largest majors being business, education and communication. Small by intent, Flagler College has an enrollment of about 2,600 students, as well as a satellite campus at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla. U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review regularly feature Flagler as a college that offers quality education at a relatively low cost; tuition is $22,500, including room and board. A relatively young institution (founded in 1968), Flagler College is also noted for the historic beauty of its campus. The main building is Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1887 as a luxury resort by Henry Flagler, who co-founded the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. For more on Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.