Philip Jenkins, Edwin Erle Sparks professor of humanities in the Department of History and Religious Studies at Penn State and distinguished senior fellow of the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University, speaking Thursday, April 29, on the topic of "The World's Religious Map in 2050" at the Penn State Forum, held at the Nittany Lion Inn, University Park, Pa.
Jenkins has authored numerous papers and more than 20 books on Christianity, its history and its place in modern society. In 2008 he wrote "The Lost History of Christianity," and his most recent book, "Jesus Wars: How Four Patriarchs, Three Queens And Two Emperors Decided What Christians Would Believe For The Next 1,500 Years," was released in March 2010. Jenkins teaches a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses including Sects, Cults and New Religious Movements; America in the 1960s; American Catholic: Roman Catholicism in 20th Century America; and Beyond the Good War: Politics and Culture in 1940s America.
Lisa See, author of the critically-acclaimed international bestseller, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (2005), has always been intrigued by stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up, whether in the past or happening right now in the world today. For Snow Flower, she traveled to a remote area of China
Justin Catanoso is a newspaper journalist, a university lecturer and the author of the memoir My Cousin the Saint. He is a native of North Wildwood, NJ, and considered only one college after high school
Stephen L. Baker, author of The Numerati, is a senior writer at BusinessWeek, covering technology. Previously he was a Paris correspondent. Baker joined BusinessWeek in March, 1987, as manager of the Mexico City bureau, where he was responsible for covering Mexico and Latin America. He was named Pittsburgh bureau manager in 1992. Before BusinessWeek, Baker was a reporter for the El Paso Herald-Post. Prior to that, he was chief economic reporter for The Daily Journal in Caracas, Venezuela. Baker holds a bachelor
Anthony T. Leach, associate professor of music and music education at The Pennsylvania State University is director of The University Choir, Essence of Joy and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education.
Barbara J. Rolls is Professor of Nutritional Sciences and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Rolls also holds positions at Penn State as Professor in Biobehavioral Health, Professor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Medicine, and is a faculty member in the Intercollege Graduate Program in Physiology. Dr. Rolls received a B.A. in biology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Cambridge, England. After spending her early research career at the University of Oxford, England, Dr. Rolls joined the faculty of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine as Professor of Psychiatry. In 1992, she became a faculty member at The Pennsylvania State University where she currently teaches and conducts research as the Director of Laboratory for the Study of Human Ingestive Behavior.
Dr. Rolls is Past-President of both the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior and The Obesity Society. She has been a member of the Advisory Council of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH). In 1995 she was the recipient of the American Society of Nutritional Sciences Award in Human Nutrition. In 1996, she received the Pauline Schmitt Russell Distinguished Research Career Award from the College of Health & Human Development, Penn State. In 1997 she was the recipient of a MERIT award from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease for her outstanding research performance. She was the 2001 recipient of the International Award for Modern Nutrition. In 2003 she was awarded Honorary Membership in the American Dietetic Association. In 2006 she was elected a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science and received the Evan G. and Helen G. Pattishall Outstanding Research Achievement Award, College of Health & Human Development, Penn State. She was selected as the 2007 W.O. Atwater Lecturer at Experimental Biology (sponsored by USDA
Ben Carson has a childhood dream of becoming a physician. Growing up in a single parent home with dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper, and low self-esteem appeared to preclude the realization of that dream until his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged her sons to strive for excellence. Young Ben persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children
Barbisch is president of Global Deterrence Alternatives, a strategic planning organization providing policy and program guidance on integrating solutions related to the national security threats of terrorism, natural disasters, and emerging infectious diseases. She is among the nation's most distinguished experts in terrorism and disaster preparedness and response. With more than 20 years in managing complex medical and organizational challenges, Barbisch moved her focus to the complexities of combating terrorism and complex disaster management in the early 1990s. She has been described as a visionary in reducing threats and responding to complex disasters both nationally and internationally.
As a strategic planner, Barbisch focuses on developing effective programs built on evidence-based information, measurable objectives, and best outcomes in catastrophic events. Barbisch uses research-based theory and practice reinforced by modeling and simulation to drive decision support tools at all levels from individual preparedness and response to executive decision-making for today's escalating threat environment. Her integrated training and operational modeling are designed to produce a cultural shift in preparedness. She is a leader, educator, facilitator, and proven agent for change who can build or reform organizational cultures to deal effectively with the ambiguous and unknown challenges in today's environment.
In addition to her other civilian accomplishments, Barbisch is a retired army major general. She served in a multitude of active and reserve assignments from Vietnam to the Pentagon. Her most recent assignment was as director of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear program integration for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Barbisch holds a bachelor's degree from California University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a doctorate in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.
"Breast Cancer: Are We Making Any Progress?" Monica Morrow, M.D., is the G. Willing Pepper Chair in Cancer Research and the Chairman of the Department of Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center; and Professor of Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine. From 1993 to June 2004, she was Professor of Surgery at Northwestern University Medical School, and director of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. From 1999 - 2001 she also served as Director of the Cancer Department of the American College of Surgeons and Executive Director of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. A native of Bucks County Pennsylvania, Dr. Morrow received her BS degree Magna Cum Laude from the Pennsylvania State University in 1974 and her MD in 1976 from Jefferson Medical College. She did her surgical residency at the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont from 1976-1981, followed by 2 years of surgical oncology training at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Morrow has received many awards, including National Merit Scholar; Clinical Fellow of the American Cancer Society; Outstanding Professional Woman from the State of Illinois Federation of Business and Professional Women; the Alpha Omega Alpha Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award from the University of Chicago, Distinguished Alumni of the Pennsylvania State University, The Women Making a Difference Award for Medical Innovations from the State of Illinois, the Speaking of Women's Health Foundation Award and Distinguished Alumni of Jefferson Medical College. She was also named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow). Dr. Morrow was the first surgeon to be a member of the National Cancer Policy Board of the Institute of Medicine, and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society of Surgical Oncology. She is currently the Secretary of the Society of Surgical Oncology.
"Out in the Newsroom: How Gay Journalists are Bringing Fairness and Accuracy to Coverage of LGBT issues" Eric Hegedus is the National Lesbian & Gay Journalist Association's (NLBJA's) National President. He is a page designer for the NewYork Post, a position he has held since August 2005. Before that, Eric was a page designer for The Philadelphia Inquirer for three years. Previously, he was a photo editor at The Inquirer, working for the sports, news and features departments, as well as the Sunday Inquirer Magazine. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, he was a photo editor and award-winning staff photographer at several Gannett Co. newspapers in Upstate New York, including The Ithaca Journal and the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin. A 1984 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where he was a photo editor and staff photographer for the university's Daily Collegian newspaper, Hegedus began his photojournalism career as a photographer for the former Bethlehem, PA, Globe-Times. Over the years, he has also shot assignments for various news organizations, including The New York Times, The Associated Press and USA Today. Hegedus would like NLGJA to become increasingly more effective as an organization that helps journalists with issues, peer-to-peer, before stories are published or broadcast. He also aspires for NLGJA to be recognized in the journalism industry as
"Giving Back" Sue Paterno has not had a paying job since 1963. Yet despite leaving a teaching career to raise her family, she has not stopped working. A 1962 Arts & Letters graduate of Penn State, Sue has dedicated herself to her family, her University, and her community. At Penn State, Sue helped establish the Liberal Arts Alumni Society and the Summer Institute for Academic Achievement, a program that offers underrepresented students additional preparation for college-level work. She serves as a member of the University's National Development Council, chaired the Libraries Advisory Board, and was a volunteer for the Grand Destiny Campaign for both the College of the Liberal Arts and the University Libraries. In addition, she was the honorary co-chair of the Alumni Association's first-ever National Service Week, the largest community service effort ever undertaken by an alumni association. In 1995, the University recognized her service to Penn State by awarding her with the Lion's Paw; in 1996, she was named the Renaissance Woman of the Year and was named a Distinguished Alumna in 2004. She currently sits on the University's Leadership Gifts Committee, the National Council for Penn State Philanthropy, the Libraries Development Advisory Board, the Libraries and the Liberal Art Campaign Committees. Sue's commitment to public service extends beyond her alma mater. In 1989, she began working with the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, co-chairing the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the SOPA Summer Games and a SOPA Board member since 1991. She has served as honorary chair of the United Way Campaign and as honorary co-chair for its "Day of Caring" since its inception. In addition to her time, Sue has joined her husband Joe in committing their resources to the University. In 1998, they pledged $3.5 million to endow faculty positions and scholarships as well as to support two building projects - a new interfaith spiritual center and the All-Sports Hall of Fame. She and her husband have raised five children, all Penn State graduates, and they have fifteen grandchildren.
"The Vicious Circle of Poverty" Dr. Gates is a 1985 graduate of Bishop Guilfoyle High School and a 1991 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1995 and did his residency at Allegheny University Hospital. He is the founder of the Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation, which is an after-school program for disadvantaged youth in the projects where Dr. Gates grew up. The program is in memory of his mother. The program is for at risk children ages 4-12 and includes an after school program to enhance their education and teach them to "Dream Again." He is also the founder of Operation Safety Net at Bon Secours Hospital, which is a free health care clinic for adults with no access to health insurance. Dr. Gates has received the LaRoche College Award, the NAACP Award (community service), the Chester E. Smith Scholarship (medical school), the Cohen Scholarship Award (pharmacy school) and the Deborah Grand Scholarship (high school). He resides in Altoona, PA and is the father of three children.
"Strive to Put Yourself Out of Business" Stephen G. (Steve) Sheetz is a native of Altoona, PA, also home to the family owned and operated Sheetz, Inc. convenience store chain. Sheetz currently operates 337 stores in six states
"Drug Issues" Following her nomination by President GeorgeW. Bush, on July 31, 2003, Karen Tandy was confirmed by unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a $2.2 billion agency with approximately 11,000 employees across the U.S. and in 85 foreign offices. Under Ms.Tandy's leadership, DEA investigations resulted in criminal charges against 87 percent of the most wanted drug trafficking leaders, an 82 percent increase in the number of dismantled priority drug trafficking organizations, and a 400 percent increase in the seizure of drug proceeds and related assets, with a recordbreaking $3.75 billion in seized drug assets and revenue denied to traffickers in a two year period from 2004-2006. In 2005, Ms.Tandy also developed and launched the first website designed for teens regarding the consequences of illegal drugs, www.justthinktwice.com, which received wide acclaim from teenagers, schools, drug prevention specialists, and community coalitions. Prior to becoming DEA Administrator, Ms.Tandy was Associate Deputy Attorney General, responsible for developing national drug enforcement policy and strategies, and Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Between 1990 and 1999, Ms.Tandy served in a variety of positions in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, supervising the Department's drug and forfeiture litigation. From 1979 to 1990, Ms.Tandy was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia and in theWestern District ofWashington, handling the prosecution of violent crime and complex drug, money laundering and forfeiture cases. Ms.Tandy, a native of FortWorth,Texas, graduated from Texas Tech University undergraduate school and Law School. She is married with two daughters.
"LeaderSpeak: Debunking the Myths that Keep Leaders Playing Small" Dr. Lucia Rohrer Murphy, aka "Doctor Murph," is a leading authority in team development and sustainable leadership practices who has inspired organizations and individuals to leverage their unique strengths and talents to create Success that Sticks. Doctor Murph has developed her expertise from over 20 years of corporate and academic experience, using an integrated approach to draw out the genius already in her clients. On the corporate side, Lucia, a Penn State grad, has made significant contributions to marketing, strategy, and human performance technology for Fortune 500 companies, including Xerox, Frito-Lay and Campbell Soup. She has inspired and developed leaders in major corporations, worldclass academic institutions and innovative business interests of all sizes. Through her leadership of DoctorMurph.com and Doctor Murph Events she offers presentations, seminars, retreat facilitation and individual executive development. Lucia is renowned for her intelligent wit and enthusiasm, which engages and delights her audiences everywhere. Lucia is the author of the new book, "LeaderSpeak: 7 Conversations that Create Sustainable Success." An avid runner and accomplished woman of laughter and energy, Lucia lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her husband and children, along with various and sundry pets.
Title: "A Historical Perspective on Voting in Pennsylvania" Cortes was nominated as secretary of the commonwealth by Gov. Edward G. Rendell on April 2, 2003, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, making him the first confirmed Latino cabinet member in Pennsylvania history. Previously Cortes was the executive director of the Pennsylvania Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. As executive director, he made recommendations to the governor and the administration on policies, procedures and legislation that enhanced the status of the Latino community in Pennsylvania. As the governor's liaison to the Latino community, he ensured that state government was accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of Latinos and that strategies and programs were developed to enhance the community's social and economic status. Cortes has been the recipient of numerous awards including: Hispanic Business Magazine's "100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States"; Central Penn Business Journal's top "Forty Under 40" business leaders in Central Pennsylvania; American Lawyer Media "Lawyers on the Fast Track," a distinction bestowed upon Pennsylvania lawyers under 40 years of age; and Penn State's Alumni Fellow, award. Cortes earned his bachelor of science degree in hotel, restaurant and travel administration from the University of Massachusetts; a master in public administration from Penn State and a law degree from Penn State Dickinson School of Law. He also holds a certificate in public sector human resources management from Penn State.
Title: "It's worse and better than we thought: the meaning of global warming" Dr. Richard Alley is Evan Pugh Professor of Geosciences and Associate of the Earth System Science Center at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, where he has worked since 1988. He was graduated with the Ph.D. in 1987 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and with M.Sc. (1983) and B.Sc. (1980) degrees from The Ohio State University-Columbus, all in Geology. Dr. Alley teaches, and conducts research on the climatic records, flow behavior, and sedimentary deposits of large ice sheets, to aid in prediction of future changes in climate and sea level. His experience includes three field seasons in Antarctica, eight in Greenland, and three in Alaska. He awards include a Packard Fellowship, a Presidential Young Investigator Award, the Horton Award of the American Geophysical Union Hydrology Section and Fellowship in the Union, the Wilson Teaching Award of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Faculty Scholar Medal in Science at Penn State, the first Agassiz Medal of the European Geosciences Union Cryospheric Section, and the Seligman Crystal of the International Glaciological Society. Dr. Alley has served on a variety of advisory panels and steering committees for the National Science Foundation, targeted research activities, and professional societies, including the congressionally mandated Antarctic External Review Panel and the Polar Research Board, and has provided advice to numerous government officials in multiple administrations including a US Vice President, the President's Science Advisor, and a Senate Committee. Dr. Alley is happily married with two children, two cats and a minivan, and resides in a ranch house in State College, PA, where he coaches recreational soccer and occasionally plays some.
"Philanthropy and America's Future" Berresford was elected president of the Ford Foundation effective April 3, 1996. At the time of her election as president, Berresford was executive vice president and chief operating officer of the foundation. Berresford joined the Ford Foundation in 1970 as a project assistant in the Division of National Affairs. Between 1972 and 1980 she served as a program officer in that division. In 1980 she was named officer in charge of the foundation's women's programs. She became vice president for the Foundation's U.S. and International Affairs program in 1981 and subsequently served as vice president of the program division in charge of worldwide programming for the foundation from 1989. Before joining the foundation, Berresford served as a program officer for the Neighborhood Youth Corps from 1965 to 1967. In 1967-68, she worked for the Manpower Career Development Agency, where she was responsible for the evaluation of training, education and work programs. Berresford attended Vassar College and then studied American history at Radcliffe College, where she graduated cum laude in 1965.
"Rethinking the Social Compact" Harris became the ninth president of Widener University on July 1, 2002. Since then he has directed a highly inclusive, university-wide strategic planning process to determine the future direction of Widener University. As a national advocate and leader for civic engagement and service learning, Harris serves as the chief of Pennsylvania Campus Compact, an organization of 68 public and independent colleges and universities committed to civic engagement. Before going to Widener, Harris was president of Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio. During his eight-year tenure at Defiance, the college experienced record fund raising, enrollment and endowment growth. Harris served as vice president for advancement at both Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and the College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati. He also held administrative posts in corporate and foundation relations and financial aid at Penn State. Harris began his career in education as a social science teacher at Toledo's Central Catholic and Highland High School. A native of Fostoria, Ohio, he received his bachelor's degree in education from the University of Toledo in 1980. In 1983, he earned his master's degree in education from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania, and in 1988 was awarded a doctoral degree in education from Penn State. He also completed postdoctoral studies at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.
"What Do You Stand For? Getting Back America's Integrity" Lichtman has been writing and speaking on ethics to corporations and organizations for 10 years. His first book and talk, "The Lone Ranger's Code of the West, an Action-Packed Adventure in Ethics," not only made the process of examining ethics more approachable and clear, but fun as well. In the last several years, Lichtman has been drilling deeper into the subject of ethics by collecting stories for his new book, "What Do You Stand For? Stories About Principles that Matter." Using responses from Mario Cuomo to the Dalai Lama to a cross section of "ordinary" citizens, Lichtman talks about the principles that matter and encourages people to live up to their highest aspirations by using a practical, clear-cut code of ethical values.
"Policing Integrity in Key Institutions: Some Thoughts on World Com, The World Bank and CBS News" Thornburgh served as governor of Pennsylvania, attorney general of the United States under two presidents and was the highest-ranking American at the United Nations during a public career which spanned more than 25 years. He now is counsel in the Washington, D.C., office of the international law firm of Kirkpatrick and Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP. Elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1978 and re-elected in 1982, Thornburgh was the first Republican ever to serve two successive terms in that office. After his unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Thornburgh served three years as attorney general of the United States (1988-1991) in the cabinets of Presidents Reagan and Bush. He mounted an unprecedented attack on white-collar crime as the Department of Justice obtained a record number of connections of savings and loan and security officials, defense contractors and corrupt public officials. A native of Pittsburgh, Thornburgh was educated at Yale University, where he obtained an engineering degree, and at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he served as an editor of the Law Review.
Are today's children an endangered species? Are they really worse off today than 20 years ago? And, how does youth development, as a philosophy and as practice, offer some hope for addressing the concerns?
