Event Information
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Time:
7:00–8:00 p.m. CT
Location:
Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311)
The Harkin Institute YouTube Channel (Stream link will be sent to virtual attendees before the event)
Cost:
Free
Accommodations: American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided for in-person and virtual attendees. Any additional accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.
Parking: In-person attendees will be able to park in Drake University parking lot 24, next to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, but they will need a free visitor parking pass to do so. In-person attendees will be sent a link to register for a parking pass closer to the day of the event.
Event Summary
Join us for the 2026 Sussman Lecture featuring photojournalist and educator KC McGinnis, whose work has been published by leading national outlets and takes him across Iowa and the country to document the complex relationship between people and the environment. In his talk, “Social by Nature: Environmental Photojournalism for a More Hopeful Future,” McGinnis explores the stories behind his compelling images—from industrial agriculture and family farms to environmental justice movements and communities shaped by the land.
Drawing from years of field reporting, McGinnis examines how environmental narratives emerge through everyday lives, cultural traditions, and the natural places people depend on. His work offers an honest yet hopeful lens on the challenges and possibilities that define the future of our shared environment.
The lecture will also feature a selection of McGinnis’s photographs, accompanied by detailed captions that illuminate the context and human stories behind the images.
About KC McGinnis
KC McGinnis is a photojournalist and educator based in Des Moines. McGinnis began his career in journalism as an intern at the Glenwood Opinion-Tribune, and has since become a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and other local and national news organizations. His work as an assignment photojournalist takes him across the state and the country, covering politics, the environment, natural disasters, economics, religion health, and the arts. He is most interested in telling stories that explore the relationship between humans and nature. He teaches Communication at Grand View University, where he also directs the school’s Honors Program.
About The Sussman Lecture Series
The Sussman Lecture Series hosts a notable public policy figure to discuss topical current events with a small audience. The series was established by the late Richard Sussman (AS’51), in memory of his late wife Lila. Tickets are required and seating is limited to provide an intimate experience for attendees.
Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 271-3623
Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.