Spring 2000 Focus Semester Speaker to Address Pollution Issues

Published 01.28.2000

News

Worldwide pollution issues and how they affect individual lifestyles will be among the topics tackled by Pat Nixon, an environmental engineer with Ford Motor Co., who will speak at a Spring 2000 Focus Semester event scheduled for Monday, Feb. 7, at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Nixon, one of two keynote speakers in the series, which has the theme, "Global Connections," will make his presentation at 7 p.m. in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium. The program is free and open to the public.

Nixon played a significant role in the development of the federal Environmental Protection Agency's standards for water pollution. He joined Ford Motor Co. after his stint with that government agency. He has extensive experience in negotiating and establishing environmental procedures in countries where Ford has built manufacturing plants.

An engaging speaker, Nixon can answer questions about many aspects of technology, industry and diverse cultures.

The second keynote speaker in the series is Dr. Fred Lamb of Virginia Tech, a prominent teacher and international consultant in the forestry industry. Lamb will speak at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 3,in the Academic Center Auditorium. Lamb, a worldwide traveler and consultant, will discuss how the global wood-products industry affects local economies and individual lifestyles.

Other programs on the Spring 2000 Focus Semester roster are:

China After Tiananmen Square Dr. Dennis Williams3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, Penn's InnWilliams will explore U.S.-China business relations and the Chinese economic structure in the aftermath of the June 4, 1989, student revolt.

CoffeeHouse Musician Tony Jarvis8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, CoffeeHouse, Bush Campus CenterJarvis will feature Afro-Cuban music.

Communicating in Organizations with Diverse Populations David A. London3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, PDC, Mountain Laurel Room London, a member of the Speech Communications/Composition faculty, will discuss issues and trends that organizations will face in the 21st century.

Comedian Michael Loftus9 p.m. Thursday, March 16, Penn's Inn Loftus taps his Irish upbringing to relate hilarious stories.

Panel Discussion on Global Environmental Issues Debra A. Buckman, Host3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, Penn's Inn The panel, hosted by Buckman, a member of the Environmental Technology faculty, will discuss global warming, acid rain, hazardous-waste disposal and related topics, as well as how economics and politics play a role in what countries do. The discussion is being held by Environmental Science students in conjunction with a display on international environmental-management issues.

Green Building Fair10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, Bardo Gymnasium Vendors and suppliers of "green" building products will display merchandise and information about earth-friendly building materials.

International Desserts and Pastries Demonstration Suzann L. Bennett 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 31; LEC, Room B132 Bennett, a member of the Food and Hospitality Management/Culinary Arts faculty, will lead the program. Students are researching international pastries and desserts as a class project to learn more about other cuisine and traditions.

Gun Nation Zed Nelson 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, ACC Auditorium Nelson, an internationally acclaimed photojournalist, will offer a unique perspective on the gun debate with an award-winning photo essay.

'80s Rock: Music in the Video Age Barry Drake 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, Penn's Inn Drake, a walking encyclopedia of musical perspective, will explore musical genres from around the world.

Senior Project Presentations 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 4, PDC Students in the classes of Dr. Asesh K. Das of the Computer Science faculty will present their senior projects related to global connections.

Other activities and speakers may be added during the semester.