How dos one grasp the enormity of the Holocaust? This is the challenge that Peter Hayes (Ph.D., Yale, 1982) has made his career. Professor Hayes is a world-renowned expert on the Holocaust about which he has written numerous books and articles. He was, for 30 years, one of the most popular and acclaimed professors at Northwestern University. He received the Biennial Book Prize from the Conference Group for Central European History of the American Historical Association. He currently serves as the chair of the Academic Committee of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Prof. Hayes will discuss his latest book, Why: Explaining the Holocaust and examine what lessons can be learned that are relevant to our current political situation.