2015-16 Lecture Series at Alvernia University

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

4 6 8 10 12

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

14 15 16 18 20 22

Miller Gallery Exhibits About the Venues

24 26

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.

4

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.

5

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.

6

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.

7

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

8

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).

9

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.

10

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

11

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.

12

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.

13

is c n or a Fr act F

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.

14

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.

15

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,

16

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.

17

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.

18

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

19

Hesburgh Lecture

20

“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.

21

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.

22

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.

24

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.

26

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.

#gotserviceAU 23 27

Contact Us:

1-888-ALVERNIA (1-888-258-3764)

400 Saint Bernardine St. Reading, PA 19607

Connect with us on Facebook: Alvernia University Follow us on Twitter: AlverniaUniv

www.alvernia.edu/arts-culture