Eastern will host the 13th annual Phi Beta Kappa lecture Wednesday in the Roberson Auditorium, Lumpkin Hall, at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s speaker is Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University.

Frank McCormick, professor of English and president of Phi Beta Kappa, said, “She is a respected scholar, and the panel for the Phi Beta Kappa Association felt she was the best choice.”

Goodenough will discuss science and religion through slides, music and her award-winning book, “The Sacred Depths of Nature,” McCormick said.

“Her book discusses science and religion. It provides ways to link the two together,” he mentioned.

The lecture is geared towards those studying in the field of science, but is open to anyone.

“Science majors, students having trouble in science and people who are having difficulty balancing science and religion should find the lecture worthwhile,” McCormick said.

Goodenough is one of America’s leading cell biologists. She has been the president of the American Society for cell biology and the Institute for Religion in an Age of Science, a press release stated. Goodenough is also a member of the Center for Advanced Study in Religion and Science.

“Goodenough is well-respected throughout the science world, and we are very excited for her to come,” said McCormick.

The lecture is sponsored by Eastern’s Office of Academic Affairs and the national Phi Beta Kappa Society. Goodenough was originally scheduled to speak at Eastern last semester, but the lecture was postponed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Admission to the lecture is free.