The Weber Historical Society Lecture Series will host the Wildcats Count: Census 2020 Panel, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. in Weber State University’s Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

Panelists will discuss the important role the census plays in society, how the data helps provide necessary resources to the community and what it means when individuals and families do not complete it.

“The United States started counting its people in 1790 and hasn’t missed a decade since then,” said Leah Murray, political science professor. “We use this data to know where and who our people are, and we use this history as part of our country's memory. Every person needs to be counted.”

Mallory Bateman, a State Data Center coordinator and senior research analyst at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, and Hollie Gilliland, Golden Spike Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution regent, will participate in the panel. Bateman will discuss the use of census data demographically, and Gilliland will explore the use of data in archival research for genealogical purposes.

Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and learn how they can help WSU's efforts to get people counted. Political science professor Leah Murray will facilitate the event.

The panel kicks off Weber State's participation in the 2020 Census. Other campus events will include classroom presentations, art class projects and informational tabling events.

Location: Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall