As We Shape Our Destiny: Where is Your Voice?

Location: St. Mary's University, University Center, Conference Room A
All events are free and open to the public

Civic engagement is becoming a more intentional part of college curricula throughout the United States. St. Mary’s University’s Vision 2006 strategic plan promotes civic engagement, and this program exploressome of the moral, social, and political aspects of this concept. Itpromises to provide tangible ways for our university members to engagein the larger community. The first two days of class time sessions are designed for course integration. A follow up activity on Thursday, October 28 will complement these sessions.

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

9:45 AM - 11: 00 AM: Civic Engagement: Did You Just Tune Out?

1. How has civic engagement developed in universities?
2. Why is it important at a college or university?

Moderator: Charles L. Cotrell, PhD, President, St. Mary’s University
Panelists:Matt Jones, German Lopez, Irene Muñiz, and Chris Villa, Students, St.Mary’s University and August 2004 participants in Pathways to Participation: Volunteering and Voting conference in Washington, DC

11:10 AM - 12:25 PM: Have Passport, Will Engage: International Opportunities

1. What are some of the challenges and obstacles in establishing and participating in an international immersion experience?
2. What limitations, if any, should be placed on individual or collective involvement abroad?
3. What does it mean to be a global citizen?

Moderator: Minita Santizo, Director, Internation Education Programs, St. Mary's University
Panelists: Stephen Berchelmann, Alumnus, St. Mary's University
Celine A. Jacquemin, PhD, Political Science, St. Mary's University

12:35 PM - 1:50 PM: Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility
"In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation." -- US Conference of Catholic Bishops

1. How can one’s faith influence one’s political participation?
2. Why is responsible participation in the political process a moral obligation?
3. What is the appropriate separation between religion andpolitics, e.g., should a priest deny communion to a politician whosepublic position contradicts the Church’s teaching?

Moderator: Rev. Bernard J. Lee, SM, ThD, Assistant Chancellor, St. Mary's University
Panelists: Peter Monod, Director, Office of Social Concerns, Archdiocese of San Antonio
Patti Radle, City of San Antonio Councilmember, District 5

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

9:20 AM - 10:10 AM: My Vote, My Voice-"I Think I Have Laryngitis"

1. What motivates young people to vote?
2. What are some of the obstacles to voting?
3. What are the most effective methods in engaging others to vote?

Moderator: Jeremiah Ellis, President's Peace Commission
Panelists: Christina García, Gheran "G" Goddard, and Henry Van de Putte, Students, St. Mary's University

10:20 AM - 11:10 AM: It's Not My Major. Why Should I Care?

1. Is it possible to balance objectivity and advocacy in the sciences, and if so, how?
2. Is it possible to balance objectivity and advocacy in other disciplines, and if so, how?
3. How do students and scientists practice civic engagement?

Moderator: Carrie Gaines, President's Peace Commission
Panelists: Raphael Moras, PhD, PE, Engineering, St. Mary's University
Paul X. Uhlig, PhD, Mathematics, St. Mary's University

11:20 AM - 12:10 PM: Getting Beyond the Headlines: The Media and Social Responsibility

1. Which forms of media (print, broadcast, internet) have had the greatest influence on civic engagement or disengagement?
2. Why does bad news sell?
3. How can media serve as an agent of civic engagement?

Moderator: Kathe Lehman-Meyer, Director, Learning Resources Center, St. Mary's University
Panelists: Bruce Davidson, Associate Editor, Editorial Page, San Antonio Express-News
Clara Rivas, Vice-President & General Manager, KVDA-TV

12:20 PM - 1:35 PM: Finding the Leader within You: Connecting Your Passion with Action

1. How does civic engagement connect with leadership?
2. What are the traits of a leader?
3. How are leaders made?

Moderator: Patricia Mejia, President's Peace Commission
Panelists: Leticia Cavazos, Alumna, St. Mary's University
Caroline Hallman, Student, St. Mary's University

Thursday, October 28, 2004

10 AM – 2 PM: Civic Engagement Fair
Location: The Quadrangle, St. Mary's University
Rain Site: University Center, Conference Room A

The President's Peace Commission fosters an ethical commitment toparticipate in the establishment of world peace and social justice. TheCommission encourages respect for human rights and dignity of allpeople. The Commission annually hosts symposia that offer opportunitiesfor students, faculty, and staff to grow in their active pursuit ofpeace and justice. Through the symposia and other activities, theCommission seeks to build within the St. Mary's community a greaterawareness of the Roman Catholic and Marianist perspectives on peace andjustice. The President's Peace Commission reflects the Universitycommunity through student, staff, and faculty representatives appointedby the University President.

Students: Floyd Contreras, Jeremiah Ellis, Christina García, Claudia Salas, Shivani Singh

Staff: Michelle Burell, Carrie Gaines, Migdalia García, Rey Gustamente, Patricia Mejia, Sr. Grace Walle, FMI, PhD

Faculty: Elijah Akhahenda,PhD; Inmaculada de Melo-Martín, PhD; Diane M. Duesterhoeft; Céline A. Jacquemin, PhD; Richard S. Pressman, PhD

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Thursday, November 11, 2004
4 PM, SBC Technology Center, St. Mary's University
Co-Sponsors: International Education Programs
President’s Peace Commission
University Ministry
Celebrating International Education Week

President’s Peace Commission Spring 2005 Program
Tuesday, March 15 – Thursday, March 17

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links updated July 21, 2005

President's Peace Commission at St. Mary's University One Camino Santa Maria | San Antonio, Texas   78228 phone: (210) 436-3204 fax: 210-431-4336 lpallansch@stmarytx.edu