[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Day_Richard.jpg” caption=”Professor Dick Day will give a Last Lecture on Thursday, focusing on the control we have over our own lives. File photo.”]Dick Day is giving his last lecture on Thursday.

Not to worry – the popular, long-time professor in psychology, neuroscience & behaviour isn't giving up on his profession just yet. He's taking part in the Last Lecture Series, organized by the McMaster club of the same name.

Inspired by Randy Pausch's last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University two years ago, the Last Lecture Series seeks to provide students with the opportunity to get to know their professors better while instructors lecture as though the class is their last.

“The series is very worthwhile and should continue for years to come,” said Day. “It provides professors with the opportunity to say the things we may not get the chance to otherwise say.”

Day's lecture will focus on the control we have over our own lives. He says that we often believe that we are controlled by genes or the environment, but that we are actually much more in control than we realize.

“It is an absolute honour to be asked to give this lecture,” said Day. When asked about his ideal “last lecturer”, he responded that “the Dalai Lama is the first one that comes to mind, but there are many others.”

The lecture will take place Thursday(Oct. 22) in Health Sciences Centre Room 1A1 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.