WEST PLAINS, Mo.– Missouri State University-West Plains will participate in Missouri State University’s 2016 Public Affairs Conference, “Building Healthy Communities: Mind, Body, Spirit,” April 5-8 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 Jennifer Moore, 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 12th hosted by the university, will serve as a vehicle for investigating the benefits, issues and challenges of building healthy communities, both locally and globally, according to information on the conference website.
“Building healthy communities is not about the health of individuals in body, mind, and spirit, but about the process of building communities in a healthy way. The Public Affairs theme for 2015-2016 is an invitation for people from all perspectives – biological, psychological, sociological, political, environmental, religious, and so on – to talk about building healthier communities. The focus on health of the body, mind, and spirit as a theme is important, but the emphasis on the process of building healthy communities is something that we can all engage in no matter our background, interest or career practice,” explained Dr. Elizabeth Dudash-Buskirk, associate professor of communication 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:
• “How to Build an Exceptional Life” by Jillian Michaels, health and wellness expert known for her appearances on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 5, Melton Hall Room 112. Michaels, bestselling author, Daytime Emmy nominated television personality, entrepreneur and one of the nation’s leading health and wellness experts, will discuss her belief that a lifetime’s worth of struggle is not overturned in a small moment of positive thinking and address the importance of attitude and action as tools that can change lives.
• “Restorative Justice in the 21st Century: An International Social Movement Loaded with Opportunities and Pitfalls” by Mark Umbreit, founding director of the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 202. Umbreit, who has 40 years of experience as a mediator, peacemaker, trainer, teacher and researcher, will provide an overview of restorative justice as a social movement, its achievements, opportunities present, and a small but growing number of pitfalls involving unintended negative consequences.
• “Information, Technology and the Class Gap: How Does Information Sharing Affect Community Health” by Zach Exley, a senior advisor to the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 202. Exley, who works with organizations, companies and movements to increase response, build community and raise money, will explore the marginalization of those who are technologically disadvantaged and consider the impact this new class system might have on health community building.
• “Why Do People Die by Suicide” by Paul Thomlinson, vice president of quality and research assurance at Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, from noon to 1 p.m Thursday, April 7, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 211. Thomlinson, a licensed psychologist with specialties in organizational, clinical and experimental psychology, will explore the latest research and theory on why people die by suicide. The presentation will include a research-based discussion of the factors known to predict the desire to kill oneself, as well as the acquired ability to do so.
• “Decline of Emotional Resilience Among College Students: Causes and Potential Solutions” by Dr. Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 214. Gray, who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology and education and is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook, Psychology by Worth Publishers, now in its seventh edition, will look at how anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and problems dealing with everyday life are plaguing college students today to a far greater extent than in the past and discuss his belief that much of the problem lies in the overemphasis on academic performance and the loss of free play in childhood and adolescence.
• “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis” by Rober Putnam, professor of public policy at Harvard University, noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 8, in Lybyer Technology Center Room 214. Putnam, who has received numerous scholarly honors, including the Skytte Prize, the most prestigious global award in political science, and the National Humanities Medal, the nation’s highest honor for contributions to the humanities, will discuss the emergence of an “opportunity gap” in the American Dream over the last 25 years. Americans have always believed in the equality of opportunity, the idea that all kids, regardless of their family background, should have a decent chance to improve their lot in life, but this central tenant of the dream no longer seems to be the case.
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. 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.