President’s Peace Commission
Spring 2007  Program
Are We Good Neighbors? University in Community
Tuesday, March 20 - Thursday, March 22, 2007
Location: University Center, Conference Room A, St. Mary's University

Peace is a local issue.  The challenges we face when we work to get along with our next-door neighbors are the challenges we face when we work to get along with the world. While many St. Mary's University community members travel far to serve global neighbors, a program exploring campus/neighborhood collaboration will offer many ways for students, faculty, and staff to act as next-door neighbors.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

9:45 am –11:00 am: Am I My Neighbor’s Keeper?  
Invocation: Rev. Bernard Lee, SM, ThD, Vice President for Mission & Identity, St. Mary's University
Speakers: Teresa and Felipe Barajas, Holy Rosary Catholic Church
Luis Alonzo, Learning Instructor, St.St. Mary's University
Frank González, Student, St. Mary's University
Stephanie Solano, Student, St. Mary's University  
Moderator: Wayne Romo, Director, University Ministry, St. Mary's University and PPC

9:20 am – 10:10am: Who Is My Neighbor? A Biblical Perspective
Speakers: Rita Velásquez, Associate Director, Lay Ministry Institute, Oblate School of Theology
Bonnie Lame Abadie, Director, Pastoral Lay Ministry Programs, Oblate School of Theology
Don Arispe, 21st Century Leadership Center, St. Mary's University, StMU Alumnus
Moderator: Rev. Rudy Vela, SM, DMin, Theology, St. Mary's University and PPC

10:20 am – 11:10 am: It Takes a Village to Educate
Speakers: Steven Hemphill, St. Mary's University Alumnus
Douglas Hall, PhD, Computer Science, St. Mary's University
Neva Davenport, EdD, Teacher Education, St. Mary's University
Moderator: Norma Gaier, Director, Career Services, St. Mary's University, StMU Alumna

11:20 am – 12:10 pm: ¡Salud! Promoting Better Health
Speaker: Fernando Martínez, PhD, Northwest Vista College
Moderator: Sandra Vásquez, MD, Student Health Center, St. Mary's University, StMU Alumna

12:20 pm – 1:10 pm: Arte es Comunidad: Visual Arts, Music, Literature
Presenters: Jonathan Hernández, Student, St. Mary's University, Visual Artist
Sr. Barbara Paleczny, SSND, PhD, Painter
Rudy Arispe, Musician
Diane Bertrand, English, St. Mary's University, Fiction Writer
Moderator: Wayne Romo, Director, University Ministry, St. Mary's University and PPC

9:45 am – 11:00 am: Smart Money: The University and the Local Economy
Speakers: Steven R. Nivin, PhD, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio
Ramiro A. Cavazos, Director, Research and Economic Development, UT Health Science Center of San Antonio  
Moderator: Roy Robbins, Economics, StMU

11:10 am – 12:25 pm: Fact Versus Fiction:  Community Safety
Speakers: Paul F. Glowacki, Chief of Police, St. Mary's University
Yolanda Segovia, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office
Rev. Jimmy David Drennon, Pastor, St. Paul’s Catholic Church
Moderator: Rebeckah Day, Vice President, Administration and Finance, St. Mary's University

12:35 pm – 1:50 pm: Caminando con la comunidad:  Walking with the Community
Speakers: Elena Guajardo, District 7 Councilwoman
Rick Idar, President, University Park Neighborhood Association
Moderator: Patricia Mejía, Director, 21st Century Leadership Center, St. Mary's University and PPC, StMU Alumna

7:00 pm: 9th Annual Art of Peace Award and 19th President’s Peace Concert
Recital Hall, Treadaway Hall
An evening of music and poetry in honor of poet
Trinidad Sanchez
Awarded posthumously

The President's Peace Commission fosters an ethical commitment to participate in the establishment of world peace and social justice. The Commission encourages respect for human rights and dignity of all people. The Commission annually hosts symposia that offer opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to grow in their active pursuit of peace and justice. Through the symposia and other activities, the Commission seeks to build within the St. Mary's community a greater awareness of the Roman Catholic and Marianist perspectives on peace and justice. The President's Peace Commission reflects the University community through student, staff, and faculty representatives appointed by the University President.

Faculty: Elijah Ahkahenda, PhD; Camille Langston, PhD; Leona Pallansch, PhD; Richard Pressman, PhD; Rev. Rudy Vela, SM, DMin
Staff: Daniel Farias; Patricia Mejía, MA; Melissa Shiplett; Wayne Romo, MTS
Students: Floyd Contreras; David Zapata