P. Barry Butler, University of Iowa executive vice president and provost, will outline how wind energy became a vital part of Iowa’s energy economy—and the locus for university partnerships with industry and communities—during a March 24 event in Iowa City.

Butler’s talk marks the expansion of the university’s popular Hawkeye Lunch and Learn series to Iowa City. The events have been drawing capacity crowds in Des Moines since January.

Butler will speak Monday, March 24, from noon to 1 p.m. in room 2520D of the University Capitol Centre, 200 South Capitol St. in Iowa City. Guests are invited to bring their lunch.

The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP online.

“We want to highlight ways the university is working with partners across the state, strengthening existing relationships and creating new ones,” said Linda Snetselaar, associate provost for outreach and engagement, in introducing the series.

In February, former congressman and National Endowment for the Humanities chair Jim Leach discussed Nazi seizures of art and property with a Des Moines crowd. This month, UI space scientist Don Gurnett offers a firsthand account of the Voyager I spacecraft’s journey to interstellar space.

Plans call for new talks by UI faculty to debut in Des Moines before being reprised in Iowa City the next month. Live video streams of the Des Moines talks will be available via now.uiowa.edu. The UI Office of the Provost sponsors the series.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact the Office of the Provost in advance at 319-335-3565.