WEST PLAINS, Mo.– Missouri State University-West Plains will participate in Missouri State University’s 2015 Public Affairs Conference, “The Ethical Citizen: Can You Make a Difference?,” April 14-17 by offering area residents the opportunity to hear conference speakers via interactive television (ITV).
Local campus officials joined forces with conference organizers at the Springfield campus to make arrangements for area residents to see and hear several of the event’s addresses on the local campus, said Emily Gibson, coordinator of theater and events with Missouri State-West Plains’ University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, which is hosting the event locally.
This year’s conference, the 11th hosted by the university, will focus on what it means to be an ethical citizen and explore the definition, practice and implications of ethical citizenship, according to information on the conference website, http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/conference/.
“The concepts and practices of ethics and ethical citizenship have been elusive and contested notions throughout documented human history. The mere mention of the word ‘ethical’ conjures a complicated web of questions and socio-cultural considerations.…While there are certainly no simple answers to these inquiries, the public affairs theme of The Ethical Citizen: Can You Make a Difference? will facilitate vital dialogue on these topics throughout the conference,” explained Dr. Kurt Heinlein, associate professor of theater and dance at Missouri State University in Springfield and this year’s provost fellow for public affairs.
The keynote and plenary addresses that will be provided via ITV to the West Plains campus include:
• “Get In the Game” by Cal Ripken, Jr., former Major League Baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles and a Hall of Fame member, 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, Melton Hall Room 112. Cal Ripken, Jr., retired from baseball in 2001 after breaking countless records, including Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played. He is admired not only for his relentless perseverance, but also for his unparalleled integrity and is a sought-after adviser and role model to fans from all walks of life. He will offer insights on hard work and success that can be applied on and off the field and address ethical citizenship and elements of perseverance, including a strong will to succeed, consistency and conviction.
• “The Global Freshwater Challenge: New Solutions for a Thirsty World” by Sandra Postel, founder of the Global Water Policy Project, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 202. Postel, who also lectures, writes and consults on global water issues, will discuss how a change in the way we use, manage and value freshwater must take place if we want to meet the food, energy and water needs of our growing population while sustaining the ecosystems that support our economies and the web of life on our planet.
• “How to Make a Difference in the Lives of Sex Trafficking Victims” by Toshia Shaw, founder of Purple W.I.N.G.S., a multicultural nonprofit organization whose acronym stands for Women Inspiring Noble Girls Successfully, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 202. A survivor of sex trafficking, Shaw will share insight and awareness of how each one of us can make a difference by lending our voices to raise awareness or by mentoring survivors. It is estimated that more than 100,000 children are being sold into sex trafficking each year in the United States alone.
• “Education, Communication and Family Well-Being: Unlocking the Power of Genetic Information” by Dr. Sarah H. Elsea, associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor College of Medicine, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m Thursday, April 16, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 202. Elsea, a human geneticist who works with families affected by developmental disabilities caused by a variety of genetic differences, also serves as a bridge for families in understanding the impact of a genetic diagnosis of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability and autism. She will offer insights into the world of genetics and their implications for American society.
• “Ferguson and Beyond: Race Relations in Modern America” panel discussion moderated by Missouri State University System President Clif Smart, noon to 1:30 p.m., Friday, April 17, in Melton Hall Room 112. Although the tragic events in Ferguson, Missouri, last year sparked important discussions regarding race, troubling examples of racial tension continue to arise in our communities and on college campuses. The panel, which includes actor Iké Amadi; Matt Marinec, confidential assistant to the director of the U.S. Office of Ethics; Yu-Hsien Sharon Wu, co-founder of U.S.-China Education and Culture Center; and Angela Holloway-Payne, principal of Dexter Elementary School in Memphis, Tennessee, will discuss the current state of race relations in America and how citizens can build a more ethical, tolerant and stable foundation for American youths.
Immediately following this ITV presentation, several Missouri State-West Plains faculty and staff members will continue the discussion as part of an on-site panel discussion in Melton Hall Room 112. Participating panel members will include Dr. Rajiv Thakur, assistant professor of geosciences; Michelle Branton, director of developmental education; Connie Morgan, assistant professor of history; Sharon Bynum, lecturer of history; Dr. Joseph “Kip” Rugutt, associate professor of chemistry; and Thora Broyles, preparatory math specialist.
This continuation of the discussion will provide an opportunity for members of the West Plains campus and community to engage in a conversation about issues related to race relations, organizers said. This special panel discussion is being coordinated by Missouri State-West Plains faculty and officials with the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department.
All presentations are free and open to the public.
A number of other keynote sessions, panels and special events also are planned on the Springfield campus. Complete program information can be found online at http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/conference/. All events are free and open to the public.
For more information about the local presentations of plenary addresses, call the U/CP Department office at 417-255-7966.