The 14th season of Springfield’s Global Education Series launches with an introductory program of discussion, meeting presenters and sponsors for the 2015-2016 series. The session will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 105, Shouvlin Center. Students and the public are invited.
Assistant Professor of Geology, Sarah Fortner, who organized this program, describes the meetings purpose.
“We’ll be talking about the community-based research and outreach that we conduct with our students that supports sustainable decision making," she said. "We will highlight student project work in our courses and with our interns and research students. This work includes habitat assessments, wildlife monitoring, water-quality assessment, and improving watershed resilience. Key to our success is authentic research and community partnerships. We invite all who are interested in environmental challenges in our community.”
Wittenberg professors have been recognized for their excellence (in teaching, community-based research, or sustainability efforts).
“We are excited that our program is collaborative and unified in our vision to help Springfield and provide students with meaningful learning experiences that directly help others,” Fortner added. Also speaking will be John Ritter, the chair of the Geology Department. Speakers from the Biology Department will include assistant professors Amber Burgett and Richard Phillips.
The 2015-2016 Global Education Speaker Series will continue with a program each month related to Earth care. Each year the group chooses a theme of interest.
“This year we’ll consider what we can do to preserve the Earth for future generations," said Nancy Flinchbaugh, the group's leader. "Our topics will include religious calls to action, sustainability, historic preservation, and reuse, deforestation and pollution, climate change and urban gardening.”
The Global Education and Peace Network began with City-led study circles in October 2001, following the Sept. 11 tragedy. With a goal of building global awareness in Springfield and Clark County in the past 14 years, the group has held 156 monthly programs educating about local and global cultures.
