Missouri State University

An Evening with David Lacks

When: Wednesday November 30th, 2011   7PM

Where: Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts

David “Sonny” Lacks, the middle child of Henrietta Lacks, has enthralled university audiences across the country talking about his mother, Henrietta Lacks, and her important contributions to modern medicine.  The international success of the New York Times bestseller about his mother, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” has left people keenly interested in the Lacks Family and Henrietta’s legacy.  In his MSU appearance, Sonny will share with the audience what it meant to find out – decades after the fact – that his mother’s cells were being used in laboratories around the world without the family’s knowledge or consent.  He puts a face on the big issues such as the dark history of experimentation on African Americans, the birth of bioethics and the legal battles over “informed consent”.  The presentation will be in a moderated question and answer format.  If you would like to submit a question for consideration to be included in the presentation, please submit questions no later than 5 pm October 28 to firstyearprograms@missouristate.edu.  Questions will be reviewed by a committee of students, faculty and staff before being submitted to Mr. Lacks.  This is a free event, but a ticket will be required for admission.  Tickets will be available exclusively to the MSU community (students, faculty and staff) November 7-10.  Starting November 11, remaining tickets will be available to both the MSU community and the Springfield community.  Tickets may be picked up at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, JQH Arena or the Plaster Student Union ticket offices.  Seating will be general admission, first come first seated.  For additional information, see the Public Affairs website http://publicaffairs.missouristate.edu/.

Tickets for the Common Reader Special Event with David Lacks will be available exclusively to the campus community (students, faculty and staff) November 7-10.  Tickets may be picked up with a campus ID at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, JQH Arena or the Plaster Student Union ticket offices.  Starting November 11, tickets will be available to both the campus community and the Springfield community.  Tickets are free and seating will be on a first come first seated basis.

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Culture of Connectivity: 2011-2012 Public Affairs Theme

Kurt Heinlein selected as the 2011-2012 Provost Fellow for Public Affairs

Dr. Kurt Heinlein, associate professor in Theater and Dance, has been selected as the 2011-2012 Provost Fellow for Public Affairs.  A major part of his fellowship will be chair the 2012 Public Affairs Conference in April 2012.  The 2011-2012 Public Affairs theme, Culture of Connectivity, will be integrated both inside and outside the classroom through events such as Public Affairs Week (September 12-16), Convocation Lectures (fall, October 6; spring TBA) and the annual Public Affairs Conference (April 17-20) as well as many activities planned in classrooms and through the office of student engagement.

Dr. Heinlein has defined the theme below and will use this definition to guide in the planning of the 2012 Public Affairs Conference.

 

“The three most recent decades in global history are popularly referred to as “The Information Age,” recognition of an abundant rise in the creation, sharing, and consumption of information via the internet, mass media, and a multitude of other technological forms.  As a result, the global community is in the midst of a cultural shift unprecedented since the industrial revolution, characterized by the ability of the individual to transfer information freely across the world and have immediate access to knowledge that was previously unattainable. The deep impact of this new era of connectivity has been felt in virtually every corner of human society. Like the industrial revolution, much of the impact has clearly benefitted humankind, empowering us with knowledge, global communication, and a diverse host of corresponding societal advantages. However, we’ve also learned from our recent past that distinct and formidable challenges can arise from technologically driven shifts in global culture. The 2012 Public Affairs Conference will serve as a vehicle for investigating the new era of global connectivity, its benefits, its challenges, and the corresponding socio-cultural issues that demand consideration as we articulate the future and serve as stewards for forthcoming generations.”     ~Dr. Heinlein

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Fall 2012 Convocation Lecturer: Doug Rushkoff

Speaker: Doug Rushkoff

Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m – 8:30 p.m. 
Location: Plaster Student Union Theater

Media and technology theorist Douglas Rushkoff is one of today’s most engaging and perceptive commentators on the impact of technology and digital media on organizations and society. A globally recognized thought leader on marketing and internet culture, he explores how interactive communications affect how we live and work.

The originator of terms and ideas from “viral media” to “screenagers” and “social currency,” Rushkoff is the author of 12 books on technology, media and pop culture, including Coercion, Media Virus, Playing the Future and Cyberia, the first book on cyber culture. His works have been translated into over 25 languages.
Ruskoff’s Get Back in the Box: Innovation From the Inside Out is a thought-provoking examination of the influence of interactive communications on business. He looks at how the new renaissance in creativity and collaboration, ushered in by the internet, gives organizations the freedom to return to core competencies and reconnect with the passion that fuels true innovation.

In his new book, Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age, he shows us how we can take command of new technologies and gain access to the control panel of civilization. According to Rushkoff, programming will become the equivalent of literacy in a digital age. His previous book, Life Inc.: How Corporatism Conqured the World, and How We Can Take It Back, was named one of the best business books of 2009 by The Miami Herald.

Rushkoff received national acclaim as the correspondent for the PBS Frontline documentaries, The Merchants of Cool and The Persuaders. Digital Nation, Frontline’s multiplatform project and television documentary, premiered on PBS in February 2010. A columnist for The Daily Beast, United Airlines Hemispheres magazine, and Meeting Professional International’s One+ Magazine, Rushkoff is a professor of media at New York University and The New School.

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Tarang!

Tarang is the celebration of color and the beautifully diverse culture of India, expressed through the various authentic Indian dishes and various cultural performances.

MARCH 26, 2011   6PM PSU Ballroom and Theater

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening will begin with a banquet of authentic foods prepared by students (assisted by faculty advisors).  It will feature both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes from around India.

The banquet will be followed by traditional cultural entertainment.  The show will include dance routines, musical offerings, skits, and other types of performance that highlight the uniquely diverse culture of India.

Tickets (which include both the dinner and the show) are :

General public- $15

Students- $10

Children (ages 5-12)- $7

Tickets will be available for purchase starting March 14th, 2011, Monday through Friday, at the following campus locations:  The Multicultural Resource Center in the Plaster Student Union 141, from 8 a.m. to 4 p. m., the International Center in the Jim D. Morris Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the ISA ticket booth on the second floor of Plaster Student Union (in front of Bear Tech).

Contact: Andrew Elvis   417-880-8900

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Public Affairs Video Contest

Given this year’s public affairs theme, “Leading in a Global Society“, Missouri State University wants to know how YOU view leadership. Get creative and film an example of what leadership looks like to you.  The deadline for submissions will be March 16th, 2011. All members of the MSU community (students, faculty and staff) are strongly encouraged to submit videos. In addition, a video contest will be held solely for the students. First place will receive $300, second place $150, and third place $75! So take time over Christmas break and start filming so that you’ll be ready to submit your work when the time comes! For questions or more information, contact Amy Hastings in Public Affairs Support at amy12384@missouristate.edu or 836-8935.

Criteria

  • Submission deadline is February 28, 2011
  • Participants will have to create a YouTube account in order to submit their video and the log in information needs to be identifiable of the person submitting.
  • Any music or imagery that is copyrighted will need documented permission to use.
  • Videos will be judged based on adherence to this year’s theme and integration of the Public Affairs Mission on campus (i.e., Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence, and Community Engagement)
  • Videos are to be a maximum of two minutes long.
  • Only one video per student will be considered in the contest; however multiple videos may be submitted for the exhibition.
  • Videos submitted in color or black and white will be accepted.
  • Group collaboration is encouraged; however one contact person should be determined.
  • Prize money will be credited to the student’s Missouri State University student account.

LEARN MORE

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“A Night of Reflection”

Association of Black Collegians and Omega Psi Phi Presents: “A Night of Reflection”
The purpose of the event is to reflect on the past and present leaders within Missouri State and the Springfield area.   The event will offer insight to current students about how fellow alumni have helped in setting the stage for the many things we experience today.  Also, it will show how students can learn to take on leadership roles within the community through imitation

There will be several panelists in the events including Mary Jean Price Walls, who was the first African American to apply for admission to the institution, but her application was denied in 1950; Mr. Wes Pratt, new interim equal opportunity officer at Missouri State; and Phyllis Washington, the first black women to be a Board of Governor for MSU. These panelists will join with many others to discuss about the experience within the Springfield area and MSU campus.

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, February 16, 2011

Plaster Student Union Room 313

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