News Releases

Leadership Fellows Plan Michigan Forums

Energy transportation, the impact of DDT on human health and the environment, the economic and social costs of youth obesity, and the state’s economic crisis are the topics of a series of Michigan Issues Forums developed by Alma College students.

“Making a New Michigan” is the unifying theme of the forums, sponsored by Alma’s Center for Responsible Leadership and developed and organized by the College’s leadership fellows.

The forums, free and open to the public unless otherwise noted, feature guest panelists from around Michigan who will address issues related to the forum topics.

• “Eliminating Michigan’s Energy Pains: Biofuels, Transportation, Trains,” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 6, Dow Science Center Room L1.

This forum will focus on the energy-transportation policy changes needed to position Michigan as a leader in sustainable technology, according to student forum contact Katie Porter. Panelists include Clark Harden, executive director of the Michigan Public Transit Association; Michael Whims, executive director of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers; and Wynne Wright, professor of community food and agriculture at Michigan State University.

• “Eugene Kenaga International DDT Conference,” 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, Tyler-Van Dusen Campus Center.

International experts will examine the impact of DDT on human health, the environment and malaria control in this daylong conference. Speakers include Aimin Chen of Creighton University, Barbara Cohn of the University of California at Berkeley, Amy Dailey of the University of Florida, Suzanne Snedeker of Cornell University, Darwin Stapleton from the Rockefeller Archive, and Riana Bornman and Tiaan deJager from the University of Pretoria. Registration is $50. Visit http://www.alma.edu/academics/ddt to register.

• “Reforming Public Education for a Healthier Michigan,” 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, Dow Science Center Room L1.

A discussion with a healthy meal will focus on solving the obesity epidemic in K-12 schools, according to student forum contact Taylor Gibson. In addition to a healthy conversation about obesity, the forum will provide a topic-appropriate meal to encourage healthy consumption. Teachers and parents are particularly encouraged to partake of this forum. Panelists will include Alma College faculty researcher Robyn Anderson and Alma High School Principal Don Everhard.

• “Behind the Scenes of Michigan’s Economic Crisis: Labor Unions vs. Right to Work?” 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 27, Dow Science Center Room L1.

Guest panelists will address union, business, workers’ and legislative perspectives of right to work and then conclude with a final segment that wraps up the discussion, according to student forum contact Kristina Fuehring. 

“The purpose of the Michigan Issues Forums is to open dialogue about change in Michigan,” says John Leipzig, director of Alma’s Center for Responsible Leadership. “These dialogues are organized and presented by our leadership fellows, who have explored in depth some of the challenges facing Michigan. These are students concerned with the future of Michigan, and they have zeroed in on some major issues.

“The forums will approach each issue in the following way:  What we know, what we need to know, and what are the next steps for addressing these issues in ways that advance Michigan,” he says.

The Center for Responsible Leadership Fellows’ Program offers students advanced opportunities for in-depth leadership training and development. Fellows engage in leadership development activities throughout the program. Fellows participate in the LeaderShape Institute at Ghost Ranch Conference Center in New Mexico in their first year, followed by international and/or domestic leadership and service opportunities, as well as speakers and leadership workshops. The Michigan Issues Forum is a culminating leadership activity for the fellows.

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Alma College students have experiential learning opportunities in Washington, D.C. and around the world through the College’s partnership with the Osgood Center for International Studies. The Osgood Center offers annual leadership, business and foreign policy conferences for college students on contemporary international issues.

 

Leadership Profile

Jon Haley

Jon Haley

As 2013 Class President, College Democrats Vice President, PRIDE Treasurer and Student Congress Secretary, Jon Haley clearly is taking advantage of all that comes his way.