State University of New York at Fredonia Convocation 2009-2010
PUBLIC SERVICE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Convocation Year 2009-2010
Keynote Address:
Lois Gibbs, Environmental Activist
Executive Director, Center for Health, Environment and Justice
"30+ Years after Love Canal: Educating the Public on the Love Canals of Today"
Thursday, April 22, 2:30 p.m.
Rosch Recital Hall
Founder of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, Lois Gibbs has been recognized extensively for her critical role in the grassroots environmental justice movement. Her involvement in environmental causes began in 1978 when she discovered that her 7-year-old son's elementary school in Niagara Falls, New York was built on a toxic waste dump. Subsequent investigation revealed that her entire neighborhood, Love Canal, had been built on top of this dump. With no prior experience in community activism, Gibbs organized her neighbors and formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association.
She has spoken at numerous conferences and has been featured in hundreds of newspaper articles, magazine, and textbooks. Lois has appeared on many television and radio shows including 60 Minutes, 20/20, Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America, The Morning Show and the Today Show. CBS produced a 2 hour prime-time movie about Lois’ life entitled “Lois Gibbs: The Love Canal Story” starring Marsha Mason.
» Read Lois Gibbs' biography...
Sponsors: FACE Center (Fredonia Academic Community Engagement Center), Fredonia Go Green! (Sustainability Committee), and the Convocation Committee
Contact: David Rankin, Chair, Department of Political Science, 716-673-3207, David.Rankin@fredonia.edu
Schedule of Events
“Restoring Community History: Puerto Ricans in Central Orlando, An Exhibit”
Opening Ceremonies of the Exhibit at State University of New York at Fredonia:
Thursday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the Japanese Gardens
Lecture by Dr. Patricia Silver, “Oral Histories as Public Service: Making Puerto Rican Histories in Central Florida”
Place of the exhibit: Reed Library Lobby
Reception will follow.
Opening Ceremonies of the Exhibit in Adams Art Gallery, Dunkirk:
Friday, March 26 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Adams Art Gallery, Dunkirk)
Sponsors: Convocation Committee, College of Arts and Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of History, and the Department of Modern Languages & Literature
Contact: Carmen Rivera, Department of Modern Languages & Literature, 716-673-3380,Carmen.Rivera@fredonia.edu
“Opportunities for Involvement in Local Politics and Campaigns”
Thursday, March 25
4:00-5:30 p.m.
S-104 Williams Center
State University of New York at Fredonia Recent and current State University of New York at Fredonia students discuss their experience and the opportunities available in local politics and campaigns. The panelists include:
Jeff Bochechio (’07), Executive Director for Erie County Executive Chris Collins “Collins for Our Future;” Nicholas Dhimitri, 2008-09 SA President, campaign consultant for Brian Higgins for Congress and former Campaign Manager for Chuck Cornell for Chautauqua County Executive; Joel Keefer (’98), Executive Assistant to Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards; John Mackowiak (’09), a Staff Writer for the Dunkirk Observer and former Communication Director on the Cornell campaign; Shirley Pulawski, currently a Geosciences major and the President of the League of Women Voters Chautauqua County.
This campus community discussion will be moderated by Dr. David Rankin, Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at State University of New York at Fredonia. The event is sponsored by the American Democracy Project, the Department of Political Science, and the Convocation Committee. Refreshments will be served.
Contact: Dr. David Rankin, Department of Political Science, 716-673-4715, David.Rankin@fredonia.edu
“The Psychology of Public Service”
Monday, February 22
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
S121 Williams Center
A group of public servants will discuss their background in public service and reflect on their experiences. Psychologists on the panel will analyze these experiences from a psychological perspective.
Panelists:
- Michael Bobseine, Former Chautauqua County Legislator and current member of the Fredonia Central School Board of Education
- Robert Scudder, Chautauqua County Legislator
- John Gullo, Chautauqua County Legislator
- Rodney Pennica, Member of the Pomfret Town Board
Respondents:
- Dr. Jack Croxton, Department of Psychology
- Dr. Bruce Klonsky, Department of Psychology
Refreshments will be served.
Sponsors: Convocation Committee, Department of Psychology
Contact: Jack Croxton, Department of Psychology, 716-673-3123, Jack.Croxton@fredonia.edu
“Careers in Public Service: Translating Volunteerism into a Meaningful Career”
Wednesday, November 4
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
S-104 Williams Center
A panel discussion about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities, internships and careers that MAKE A DIFFERENCE on a local, regional and national scale, with representatives from:
- The American Red Cross
- AmeriCorps VISTA/State University of New York at Fredonia
- The Belle Center
- Chautauqua County Rural Ministry
Refreshments will be served.
Sponsors: Career Development Office, Volunteer and Community Services, and Convocation Committee
Contact: Christopher LaGrow, Career Development Office, 716-673-3327,Christopher.Lagrow@fredonia.edu
“Dilemmas of Public Engagement with Detention and Interrogation in Post 9/11 America”
A Panel Discussion with Stephen Kershnar, Philosophy; Jonathan Chausovsky, Political Science, and Timothy Porter, Political Science student
Moderator: James Hurtgen, Professor of Political Science
Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
S-104 Williams Center
Sponsors: Department of Political Science, Political Science Association, and Convocation Committee
Contact: Dr. Jonathan Chausovsky, Department of Political Science, 716-673-4673,Jonathan.Chausovsky@fredonia.edu
“Integrating Scholarship, Teaching, and Public Service”
A Panel Discussion with David Rankin, Political Science; Emily Straus, History; and Emily VanDette, English
Moderator: Dawn Eckenrode, Reed Library
Wednesday, October 7, Noon-12:50 p.m.
S-121 Williams Center
Sponsors: Convocation Committee, Dean of Arts & Humanities
Contact: Dr. Natalie Gerber, Department of English, 716-673-3855, Natalie.Gerber@fredonia.edu