James H. Cone, widely credited with founding the black theology movement, spoke Thursday in Memorial Chapel about his seminal works from nearly 40 years ago and his current research, which focuses on the emotional symbols of the cross and the lynching tree.

Cone said his lecture was intended to start a conversation, and students and faculty members took him up on that as they asked questions about everything from atheism to President Obama's impact on race relations.

For Stephanie Macomber '08, the Dalai Lama's discussion about religion and spirituality was the culmination of her four years on campus as a religion major and member of University Church.

"One of my most influential professors, Professor Sindima of the religion department, once told me, 'an unexamined faith is no faith at all.' He couldn't be more accurate," Macomber said. "By examining my faith I have learned a lot about religious tolerance in a time when our world certainly needs it. I was so deeply impacted by the Dalai Lama's words because all of our differences, whether racial, economic, or religious are just secondary to our likeness as humans."

The day after his public talk, the Dalai Lama on Wednesday expanded on his views about religion in a panel discussion for about 100 students who are involved with religion on campus, either through academic study, student clubs, or the campus ministry.

The program, titled "The Moral and Spiritual Power of Religion and the University," was introduced by Colgate President Rebecca S. Chopp, herself a religion scholar, and moderated by Steven Kepnes, Murray W. and Mildred K. Finard Professor in Jewish studies and religion.

The Colgate rugby football club today departed New York City for a nine-day trip to Ireland.

It is the club's second tour of Ireland - its maiden voyage was in 2004.

Since then, the club has enjoyed tremendous success, making the "Elite Eight" in the Northeast Rugby Union in 2004 and again last fall in 2007, where it finished first in their division and was runner-up in the New York State Rugby Conference.