Alvernia Lecture Series Expand your mind with inspirational, thought-provoking lectures at Alvernia University.
2015 2016
2015 Alvernia 2016 Lecture Series Fall 2015 Sept. 17 Founders Day: Angela Carmella Sept. 29 First-Year Seminar: Wes Moore Oct. 6 Lit Fest: Lisa Scottoline Nov. 4 Faculty Authors Book Signing Nov. 16 O'Pake Lecture
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Spring 2016 Jan. 25 Mar. 2 Feb. 24 Spring Apr. 5 Apr. 20
Interfaith: Leo D. Lefebure Common Heart Lit Fest: Maureen Corrigan Batdorf Lecture Hesburgh: Gabriel S. Reynolds Earth Day: Joseph Swope
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Miller Gallery Exhibits About the Venues
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Founders Day Lecture Angela Carmella, professor of law at Seton Hall, is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Law School and Princeton University. Her intellectual focus is primarily the intersection of law and religion, specifically the First Amendment’s religion clauses, religious land use and Catholic social thought. In 2007, Carmella delivered an Alpheus T. Mason Lecture in Constitutional Law and Political Thought at Princeton University on religious exemptions and the common good and spoke at the American Constitution Society’s Conference on "The Religion Clauses in the 21st Century." She also organized the first conference of legal scholars (2004) to address the complex issues raised when religious institutions file for bankruptcy.
Date: September 17 Event: Founders Day Lecture: Angela Carmella Place: McGlinn Conference Center Time: 7 p.m.
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Angela Carmella: “Declaration on Religious Liberty” An interest in articulating religious
Carmella is a member of the
perspectives on legal issues led
Religious Liberty Committee of the
Carmella to co-edit a path-breaking
National Council of Churches and the
collection of essays published by Yale
Catholic Commission on Intellectual
University Press and participate in
and Cultural Affairs. Named a Dean’s
the Emory University Center for the
Fellow at Seton Hall in 2006, Carmella
Study of Law and Religion’s Project on
was awarded the Francis P. McQuade
Law, Politics and Human Nature: The
Research Fellowship in both 2007
Teachings of Modern Christianity.
and 2008 and was recently honored
Carmella has served as a visiting scholar and lecturer at Harvard
with the John Courtney Murray Professorship.
Divinity School and as a fellow of Harvard’s Center for the Study of Values in Public Life. She shares her expertise in the religion clauses with the law school’s Seton Center for Religiously Affiliated Non-Profit Corporations. She serves on the editorial council of Journal of Church and State and served for over a decade on the Legal Scholars Board of DePaul Law School’s Center for Church/State Studies.
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First-Year Seminar Lecture Wes Moore is a youth advocate,
United States Army, Moore served a
Army combat veteran, social
combat tour of duty in Afghanistan
entrepreneur and host of "Beyond
with the 1st Brigade of the 82nd
Belief" on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Airborne Division. He served as a
His first book, “The Other Wes Moore,”
White House fellow to Secretary
became an instant New York Times
of State Condoleezza Rice. Moore
and Wall Street Journal bestseller.
serves on the board of the Iraq and
Moore and his sisters were raised by
Afghanistan Veterans of America,
their widowed mother. Despite early
Johns Hopkins University, and
academic and behavioral struggles,
founded an organization called
he graduated Phi Theta Kappa in 1998
STAND! that works with Baltimore
as a commissioned officer from Valley
youth involved in the criminal justice
Forge Military College, and Phi Beta
system.
Kappa from Johns Hopkins University
Moore is committed to helping
in 2001, where he also played football
the parents, teachers, mentors and
and earned a bachelor’s degree in
advocates who serve our nation's
international relations. He then
youth. A portion of all book proceeds
became a Rhodes Scholar, studying
for “The Other Wes Moore” is donated
international relations at Oxford.
to City Year and the U.S. Dream
A paratrooper and Captain in the
Academy.
Date: September 29 Event: First-Year Seminar Lecture: Wes Moore Place: Physical Education Center Time: 5 p.m.
Also Read: Released in 2015, Wes Moore's “The Work” shares powerful lessons about self-discovery, service and risk-taking that led the author to a new definition of success for our times.
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Author Wes Moore
About the book: One name — two fates. Two kids with the same name living in the same decaying city. One grows up
All first-year students entering Alvernia University in 2015 will read “The Other Wes Moore.” Traditionally, common readings
to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated
at Alvernia focus on issues of social
combat veteran, White House Fellow
justice, poverty, diversity or other
and business leader. The other is
mission-centered topics. Frequently,
serving a life sentence in prison
the common reading is linked to the
for felony murder. “The Other Wes
freshman day of service, as well as
Moore” is a story of two boys and the
an academic lecture featuring the
journey of a generation.
author of the book.
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Photo by : April Narby
Lisa Scottoline After more than a decade of working in the legal field,
United States, not including audio, e-book and various
Lisa Scottoline penned her first novel, “Everywhere That
large-print editions. Internationally, Scottoline is published
Mary Went” (HarperCollins Publishers, 1994). The novel
in 23 countries. Her latest novels include “Don't Go”
became a bestseller and was nominated for the Edgar
(2013), “Accused” (2013), “Keep Quiet” (2014), “Have a Nice
Award — the most prestigious award given in crime fiction,
Guilt Trip” (2014), “Betrayed” (2014), and “Every Fifteen
awarded by the Mystery Writers of America. Scottoline’s
Minutes” (2015).
second novel, “Final Appeal,” was also nominated for and
In only three years, Scottoline earned her bachelor’s
received an Edgar Award. Since then, she has written 11
degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania
more legal suspense novels, all of which have appeared on
(1976). She followed up with a second degree from the
bestseller lists, including the New York Times, Wall Street
University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1981.
Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly. She presently has nine million copies in print in the
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She currently serves as a visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, teaching a selfcreated course entitled “Justice and Fiction.”
Date: October 6 Event: Lit Fest: Lisa Scottoline Place: Francis Hall Theater Time: Wine & cheese 5 p.m., lecture 6:30 p.m.
More Lit Fest Fun: Friday, October 23 Alvernia Writers Series & Inter-College Poetry Contest Enjoy original readings and acts, hosted by Drs. Tom Bierowski and Richard Law (Francis Hall Lobby).
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Alvernia Faculty Authors Date: November 4 Event: Faculty Authors Book Signing Place: Frank A. Franco Library Time: 3:30 p.m.
Faculty at Alvernia University are accomplished scholars, experts in their fields and supportive mentors who are committed foremost to their students’ success. More than two-thirds of them hold the highest degree available in their field. Outside of the classroom, many regularly publish books and articles, present scholarly works at national and international conferences and serve as field experts to the mass media — through newspaper, broadcast and online outlets.
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Faculty Series Spotlight: Janae Sholtz “The Invention of a People: Heidegger and Deleuze on Art and the Political” A multi-layered reading of the intersections between two of the most influential figures in contemporary philosophy. “This is a groundbreaking study of remarkable lucidity and depth...” — Prof. Walter Brogan, Villanova University
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O'Pake Lecture serving member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Democratic whip in the state Senate, the second-highest-ranking position in the caucus. Throughout his career, O’Pake was a tireless and effective advocate for children, seniors and the disadvantaged. During his legislative career, he was instrumental in enacting such significant legislation as establishing the state Department of Aging and creating the elected The annual O’Pake Lecture
Sen. O'Pake was a lifelong resident
Office of the Attorney General, the
at Alvernia University features
of Reading and Berks County,
Child Custody Act and the Child
prominent public figures focusing
growing up in a public housing
Protective Services Law, the Schuylkill
on issues related to civility, ethics,
project in the city. A devout Catholic,
Scenic River Act, the Children’s Trust
leadership and public service, in
he was a graduate of Central
Fund to support community-based
memory of Pennsylvania Senator
Catholic High School, attended St.
child abuse programs, the PACE
and Alvernia Board of Trustees
Joseph’s University in Philadelphia
senior prescription drug program,
member Michael O'Pake.
and graduated from the University
and the Children’s Health Insurance
of Pennsylvania Law School.
Program (CHIP).
The Inaugural Lecture was held in September 2013, featuring U.S.
In 1972, he was first elected to the
O’Pake was also able to draw
Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr., on
Pennsylvania Senate after having
public funding to support local
“Civility and Compromise.” In 2014,
spent two terms in the state House
community projects, securing
U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach
of Representatives. He was re-
capital investments for the
discussed “Civility, Compromise and
elected every four years for nearly
GoggleWorks, the IMAX Theater and
Public Service.”
four decades. He was the longest-
the I-76 corridor.
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Date: Nov. 16 Event: O'Pake Lecture Place: Francis Hall Theater Time: 7 p.m.
O'Pake Film Series Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service collaborates with community partners to bring a classic series of films and panel discussions to Berks County, focusing on topics of ethical leadership. All showings are free and open to the public and are held from 6-9 p.m., in the Bernardine Lecture Hall on Alvernia’s main campus. Visit www.alvernia.edu/about/ethics-and-leadership for a complete film listing.
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Interfaith Lecture
“Pope Francis & Interfaith Relations” — Leo D. Lefebure, Ph.D. On March 13, 2013, the Conclave of Cardinals of the Catholic Church elected Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as the 266th Pope, bishop of Rome, and successor to St. Peter. For the first time in history, the newly elected pontiff chose to be called Francis, a name with significant resonance for the poor and for interfaith relations. In response to questions, Vatican spokesman Fr. Frederico Lombardi, S.J., clarified that the new pope chose this name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was known as “Il Poverello” (the little poor one) because of his affection and concern for the poor and his simple lifestyle. These have long been hallmarks of the life of Cardinal Bergoglio, who abandoned the elaborate Episcopal residence in Buenos Aires for a simpler abode and who used public transportation instead of a chauffeur. Learn more about Pope Francis’ promise to be a forceful spokesperson for the poor, an eager and attentive partner in interreligious conversations, and a leader who reaches out to the entire world.
About the Francis Factor: Part of a new lecture focus at Alvernia, “The Francis Factor: Past, Present, Future” is sponsored by the university’s Mission Integration Office. Topics delve into Pope Francis as a servant leader and explore ways he is influencing the embrace of the Gospel in the Church and wider world.
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Dr. Leo D. Lefebure is the Matteo
He was the co-author of “The
Ricci, S.J., Professor of Theology
Path of Wisdom: A Christian
at Georgetown University and an
Commentary on the Dhammapada,”
Honorary Research Fellow of the
which received the 2011 Frederick J.
Chinese University of Hong Kong and
Streng Book of the Year Award from
Trustee Emeritus of the Council for a
the Society for Buddhist-Christian
Parliament of the World’s Religions.
Studies, and also wrote “The Buddha
Lefebure is the author of numerous
and the Christ and of Revelation,
works, which most recently include
the Religions, and Violence,” which
“True and Holy: Christian Scripture
received the Pax Christi USA 2001
and Other Religions” (Orbis Books,
Book Award and was translated into
2014).
Indonesian and published in Jakarta.
Date: January 25, 2016 Event: Interfaith Lecture: Leo D. Lefebure Place: McGlinn Conference Center Time: 7 p.m.
More Interfaith Discussion Common Heart Interfaith Lecture March 2, McGlinn Conference Center, 7 p.m. Established in 2009, “A Common Heart” is a group of religious organizations working together to increase tolerance, understanding and respect among the interfaith community.
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Maureen Corrigan Date: February 24, 2016 Event: Lit Fest: Maureen Corrigan Place: Francis Hall Theater Time: Wine & cheese 5 p.m., lecture 6:30 p.m.
for the Washington Post and the
the Boston Globe and The Nation,
beloved American book critic. Her
critic-in-residence at Georgetown
among others. She is an associate
distinctive voice is at once incisive
University, where her courses are
editor of and contributor to Mystery
and accessible, like a well-read
very popular. As a lecturer, she’s
and Suspense Writers and the
friend who always sends you home
been described as “brilliant,”
winner of the 1999 Edgar Award for
with a good book to read. Upon first
“hilarious,” “passionate” and
Criticism. In 2012, she served as a
meeting Corrigan, the celebrated
“eloquent.” She is the author of two
juror for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction.
novelist Ann Patchett quipped, “...
books of her own: “Leave me Alone
[we] were going to be friends, and
I’m Reading” and “So We Read On:
D.C., with her husband and
once you become friends with a
How the Great Gatsby Came to Be
daughter. She receives more than
book reviewer, they won’t review
and Why It Endures,” which was
200 books per week to review!
your books anymore. But everybody
named one of the 10 best books of
Her library, as you might expect,
knows a smart new friend trumps a
the year by Library Journal.
runneth over.
Maureen Corrigan is a trusted and
great review any day.” For more than 20 years, Corrigan
Aside from her writings for the Washington Post and the Village
has been the book critic for NPR’s
Voice, Corrigan has also written
“Fresh Air.” She is also a columnist
reviews for the New York Times,
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Corrigan lives in Washington,
About the book: Offering a fresh perspective
path to recognition as a “classic,”
on Gatsby, “So We Read On"
and its profound commentaries on
takes readers into archives, high
race, class and gender. With rigor,
school classrooms and onto the
wit and infectious enthusiasm,
Long Island Sound to explore the
Corrigan inspires us to re-experience
novel’s hidden depths, revealing
Gatsby and, along the way, spins a
its surprising debt to noir, its rocky
fascinating story of her own.
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Batdorf Lecture The annual Batdorf Lecture, supported by the Berks Bar Association, promotes dialogue on contemporary ethical issues important for both students and the local community. Details about the 2016 Batdorf Lecture will be available online at alvernia.edu/arts-culture.
Seniors College Alvernia’s Seniors College offers senior citizens (age 55 and over) an opportunity for lifelong learning. Alvernia University sponsors this program as part of its mission to be of service to the community. Each year, three semesters of Seniors College classes offer approximately 20-25 courses each session, running the gamut from computer classes to English literature. Visit alvernia.edu/academics/ seniorscollege or contact Sally Reading at 610-796-8357 to register.
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Throughout its history, Alvernia University has aimed not only to develop students’ intellectual promise but also to foster their ethical and moral perspectives and emphasize their leadership potential. The O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service seeks to build on this tradition. The O’Pake Institute is an expansion of the university’s Center for Ethics and Leadership, launched in 2006. It is named for longtime Alvernia board member Sen. Michael O’Pake, who passed away in December 2010. O’Pake served nearly four decades in the Pennsylvania State Senate as a champion for all those in need. The institute continues to be a nucleus for dialogue on contemporary ethical and leadership issues, with a focus on promoting interdisciplinary discourse around social justice and Franciscan values.
Current O'Pake Institute projects include: • The Berks County Vital Signs report — a joint venture with the Berks County Community Foundation and the Center for Opinion Research at Franklin and Marshall College to explore key community issues in Berks County. • The Oakbrook Health Project — a study of healthcare access in two low-income housing developments in Reading. Alvernia’s School of Professional Programs, the Reading Housing Authority, Berks Community Health Clinic, The Reading Health System and St. Joseph’s Medical Center are creating a strategy to address the needs of these low-income minority communities, including a new federally qualified heath center in the Oakbrook community, opening in late 2015. Learn more about the O'Pake Institute online: www.alvernia.edu/about/ ethics-and-leadership
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Hesburgh Lecture
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“Islam, the Catholic Church, and the Future of the World” Each spring, Alvernia hosts a
— Gabriel S. Reynolds
Since 1986, the Hesburgh Lecture
Hesburgh Lecture that both embodies
Series has brought a taste of Notre
the university’s core values and brings
Dame’s academic excellence to
attention to topics that are relevant to
Alvernia’s campus courtesy of the
today’s local and global communities.
Notre Dame Club of Reading, which
Gabriel Said Reynolds, Ph.D.,
supports the event. The lectures
professor of theology at Notre Dame,
perpetuate the example of President
is the author of “The Qur’an and Its
Emeritus Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh
Biblical Subtext” (Routledge, 2010) and
as a lifelong learner and further the
“The Emergence of Islam” (Fortress,
Alumni Association's mission by
2012).
providing meaningful opportunities
At Notre Dame, Reynolds teaches Foundations of Theology, Islam and Christian Theology, The Qur’an and Its
to Notre Dame alumni, parents and friends. Hesburgh lectures are presented
Relation to the Bible, The Holy Land
by Notre Dame faculty members on
and Islamic Origins.
topics related to art, architecture,
Outside of Notre Dame, he has
business, communications,
conducted research and delivered
contemporary social issues,
lectures in cities throughout the
economics, environment, ethics,
Middle East, including Ankara, Cairo,
government, history, law, social
Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus and
concerns and many more. Annually,
Tehran. Reynolds and his wife, Lourdes,
almost 5,000 alumni, parents and
have four children: Luke, Emmanuel,
friends attend a Hesburgh Lecture.
Date: April 5, 2016 Event: Hesburgh Lecture Place: McGlinn Conference Center Time: 7 p.m.
Theresa and René.
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Earth Day Lecture Joseph Swope
“Pleasant Valley Lost” Joseph Swope has more than 30 years of
Black Rose Writing, and has become a best-
award-winning experience in public relations
selling book on Amazon.com on the topic of
and advertising, working in both the non-profit
environmental policy.
and corporate sectors. In addition, he has taught
In addition, Swope penned a children’s book
in the Communications Department of Alvernia
focused on diabetes awareness, titled “The Gift,”
University as an adjunct faculty member since
released in September 2015.
1982. Swope’s book, “Pleasant Valley Lost,” chronicles his family’s last years on a dairy farm before it was seized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a federal dam project. “Pleasant Valley Lost” set a record for most preordered book prior to publication in the history of
Date: April 20, 2016 Event: Earth Day Lecture: Joseph Swope Place: Francis Hall Theater Time: Wine & cheese 4 p.m., lecture 6:30 p.m.
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Miller Gallery Visit www.alvernia.edu/arts-culture/miller_gallery.html for a full listing of Miller Gallery exhibits.
Ron Orlando
Len Davis
Sept. 28-Oct. 14
Feb. 15-Mar. 16
Closing Reception Oct. 13, 4 p.m.
Opening Reception Feb. 17, 4 p.m.
Celebrating Alvernia’s Franciscan heritage is an
Celebrating Black History Month, Len Davis
exhibition by Ron Orlando, a grand-prize winner
invites viewers to question their ethics. Davis enjoys
in Arts for the Parks. Orlando’s detailed layering
working with mixed media because of the outcome of
technique brings beauty and dignity to nature’s wild
combining several elements, creating various textures
creatures. His acrylic paintings and limited-edition
and color to evoke a thought and mood in the stories
prints allow collectors to experience nature’s wild
he tells. “It’s like a pizza with everything on it. Once
creatures in a very personal way, bringing a moment
you take that first bite, you’re inundated with flavor.
into their homes to experience over and over again.
And that’s what I strive for in my work.”
Kristen Woodward & Birdie Zoltan
Theo Anderson Mar. 21-Apr. 13
Jan. 19-Feb. 10
Opening Reception Mar. 21, 4 p.m.
Closing Reception Feb. 8, 4 p.m.
As a photographer, bookmaker and master printer,
In recognition of local women artists, the Miller
Theo Anderson says, “Photographs are not so much
Gallery presents artwork by Kristen Woodward and
about place as they are about transformation.”
Birdie Zoltan. Woodward’s mixed-media drawings
Through the lens of his camera, Aderson explores
combine painting and printmaking and often utilize
everyday American life, expressing what he sees in
found collage materials. A studio resident of the
episodic projects, including: CADILLAC, CONCRETE,
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Zoltan works with
ORPHANS and ULISSE.
ceramic sculptures and handmade furniture, tubing, fabric and other items and employs a number of techniques that include welding, casting, weaving, sewing, woodworking and carving.
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Performing Arts Series The arts are alive at Alvernia, with ticketed events scheduled for 2015-16. Visit alvernia.edu/arts-culture for details.
About the Venues Francis Hall Theater & Miller Gallery Francis Hall, home to the Theater and Miller Art Gallery, is the original building on Alvernia’s campus. It is a four-story structure of Pueblo red brick built in the California Mission style in 1926. The flexible space of the theater provides a firstclass venue for many different styles of performances.
Bernardine Lecture Hall In 2010 the heavily-used lecture hall in Bernardine Hall was transformed into an impressive high-tech space that is an ideal venue for many uses. Classes, lectures, comedians and movie nights keep the lecture hall filled on a daily basis.
Dr. Frank A. Franco Library, Bonaventure Room The Bonaventure Room is located in the center of Alvernia’s beautiful library and is normally home to scores of students researching projects in a group setting. The open space is often transformed to host events or exhibit and can easily accommodate large groups for lectures and formal campus announcements.
McGlinn Conference Center The McGlinn Conference Center is located adjacent to the home of the university’s sponsoring congregation, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters. With a lovely view in every season, the conference center is a peaceful environment for retreats, lectures or seminars.
Crusader Café Located inside Alvernia University’s Student Center, the Crusader Café offers the ambiance of a small coffeehouse, complete with artistic lighting and a corner stage. Live musical and poetry performances and other events are regularly held here.
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In 2008, Alvernia received a generous gift from T. Jerome and Carolyn Holleran, a Berks County couple with a passion for community service and a personal record of meaningful community engagement. The gift of $3 million included capital to enhance the work of the center in the Reading community as well as provisions to permanently endow it. Rooted in the Franciscan identity of Alvernia University and its mission as a teaching and learning institution, the
Holleran Center identifies, cultivates and sustains strategic partnerships to strengthen both campus and community life. By making these community partnerships an essential part of the curriculum, the Holleran Center strives to foster the university mission and improve the quality of life in our community and to develop in its students a lifelong commitment to service as engaged citizens. Visit www.alvernia.edu/about/ holleran-center for more information.
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