Tuesday, October 24, 1995: The Roots of Environmentalism

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Spiritual Roots of Environmentalism: Buddhist, Judeo-Christian, and the Native American Perspectives
Call Number BL435 .S256 1995
The host, Dr. Steve Calogero, professor of philosophy at St. Mary's University and member of the President's Peace Commission, presents Ms. Moby Phillips, Buddhist and professional storyteller at the San Antonio Museum of Art, Mr. Nick Ramus, Blackfoot warrior and spiritual leader, and Fr. Willis Langlinais, former professor of theology at St. Mary's University and current chaplain of its business school. Each speaker presents aspects of his or her respective theology's perspective on the significance of humans in the cosmos and of human interaction with and use of the earth. (73 minutes)

11:10 AM - 12:25 PM: From Stewardship to Domination: How we Lost Touch with Nature
Call Number GE42 .S256 1995
The host, Dr. Tom Guderjan, director of archaeological programs and professor of sociology at St. Mary's University, presents Dr. Jim Sauer and Dr. Steve Calogero, both professors of philosophy at St. Mary's University. During the course of the discussion, it is established that: stewardship grows from the recognition of something intrinsically valuable in nature, beyond those elements of nature which have economic value, and the need to conserve and protect it; the concept of stewardship is traced to Judeo-Christian tradition, in which man is placed above, and to some extent, made responsible for animals and nature; and the current abandonment of inherent duties in favor of rapid material gain was foreshadowed by the loss of awe and reverence toward God and the mysterious and by the advances made in science and economics and the discovery of the new world. (57 minutes)

12:35 PM - 1:50 PM: Calls of the Wild in Literature and Film
Call Number PN48 .S256 1995
The host, Dr. Glenn Hughes, professor of philosophy at St. Mary's University, introduces Dr. Steve Kellman, professor of comparative literature at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Dr. Alice Kersnowski, professor of English at St. Mary's University. A clip of the film "Deliverance", showing the destruction of south Georgia wilderness during construction of a dam, is played. Then, utilizing the definition of ecology as the relation of parts to a whole, much of the discussion centers on the contradictions involved in the fact that Henry David Thoreau and Mark Twain, the two major figures in nineteenth century American literature who celebrated nature in their works --Thoreau, the forest and Twain, the river -- had both been involved in causing forest fires, over which neither ever expressed remorse. (61 minutes)

Wednesday, October 25, 1995: The Ecological Alternative and the Creation of Jobs

9:20 AM - 10:10 AM: Philosophies of Sustainable Growth How Realistic
Call Number HC79.E5 S256 1995
The host, Dr. Gary Scott, professor of economics at St. Mary's University, presents Dr. Jim Phillips, professor of anthropology at Trinity University, and Dr. Murukesu Kanthasamy, instructor at St. Mary's University. Sustainable development is discussed in terms of successful and unsuccessful models and their anthropological, economic, and spiritual characteristics and in historical terms of over- and underdevelopment. (49 minutes)

10:20 AM - 11:10 AM: Environmentally Friendly Technologies in the World Today & in the Future
Call Number HF5381 .S256 1995
The host, Dr. Alice Kersnowski, member of the President's Peace Commission and professor in the English and Communication Studies at St. Mary's University, introduces Architect James Dawes and Patricia DuBose, Vice-Chancellor of the International Permaculture Academy in New South Wales. The speakers suggest job, career, and life choices that are compatible with sustainable growth and bioremediation. (42 minutes)

11:20 AM - 12:10 PM: Job Creation in an Environmentally Conscious Society: The Paseo del Rio Case
Call Number F392.S19 S256 1995
The host, Dr. Larry Hufford, member of the President's Peace Commission and professor of international relations at St. Mary's University, presents Architect Boone Powell and George Stelle, member of the Paseo del Rio Association. The history of the the River Walk, with its blending of parklike atmosphere and commercial interests, supported by both public and private interests, and the past, present, and future management of the San Antonio River, the key resource for local agricultural and economic stability and development, are discussed. (43 minutes)

12:20 PM - 1:10 PM: The Environment and My Career
Call Number HF5381 .S2E58 1995
The host, Ms. Marilyn Albert, director of career services at St. Mary's University, introduces Bro. David J. Fitzgerald, chair of the earth sciences department at St. Mary's University, and Mr. Daniel Medina, team leader of the restoration division of the Directorate of Environmental Management of Kelly Air Force Base. The discussion centers on possible careers in ecology or ecology-related fields, as well as the skills necessary in such positions, and the need for professionalism and continuous increase of one's knowledge base. (52 minutes)

Thursday, October 26, 1995: The Law, the Media, Politics

11:10 AM - 12:25 PM: The Media and Environmental Issues
Call Number P96.E57 S256 1995
The host, Dr. Richard Pressman, member of the President's Peace Commission and professor of English at St. Mary's University, presents Mr. Jerry Needham, environmental reporter for the San Antonio Express-News, Ms. Penny Dennis, director of broadcasting for Texas Public Radio, and Mr. Jim Thomas, weather reporter for KENS-TV. Discussion focuses on San Antonio's major environmental concerns, air quality and water quality and supply, ground-level ozone production, and soil and shallow ground water pollution, how these issues are portrayed in the media, and the need of the media to balance popular ideas with accuracy. (65 minutes)

12:35 PM - 1:50 PM: Environmental Interest Groups and Lobbying
Call Number GE180 .S256 1995
The host, Ms. Sonia García, professor of political science at St. Mary's University, presents Mr. Andy Balinsky, chair of the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club, and Sr. Susan Mika, president of the board of directors of the Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras and member of the Archdiocese Justice and Peace Commission. (73 minutes)

The Commission serves to create within the St. Mary's University community an awareness of the Roman Catholic perspective as a foundation for directing the dialogue among the broad and varied human and religious enterprises, themselves directed toward peace. It especially takes direction from the United States Catholic Conference and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The Peace Commission, founded in 1984, is comprised of students, staff, and faculty, all with equal status. If you would like more information about the President's Peace Commission, please contact any one of its members:

Students: José Fleming, Mónica González, Tina Holguin, Rachel Kellar, Sarah Beth Pridgen

Staff: Cecilia Aguilar, Bro. Paul Combest, Debbie Cunningham, Judy Geelhoed

Faculty: Steve Calogero, Diane M. Duesterhoeft, Larry Hufford, Alice Kersnowski, Colleen Nolan, Richard S. Pressman