Liz Bosarge

Senior Reporter

The 2016 spring forum for the Ina E. Gordy Honors College is hosting a group of speakers whose topics will center on the theme of how to ethically deal with global issues. At each session, the presenter will offer his or her perspective on how to think more clearly and rationally regarding some of the socially significant issues affecting our world today.

Dr. Kim Whitehead, honors college interim director for The W, is responsible for setting up the year-long series. The topics for this semester are designed to raise questions about ethics and environmental responsibilities. Each session is open to students, faculty, staff and the public.
“Honors forum is for everyone. It is a great place to learn, to discuss, to debate and to ask questions,” said Whitehead.

The Feb. 25 session will address man’s responsibility to the environment. March 10 will celebrate and honor the anniversary of desegregation at The W, and March 31 will be an endowment lecture by Katie Zay about global maternal health. On April 14, a film will be viewed about workers in New York City pushing for higher wages and ethical immigration for undocumented workers. The semester finishes with senior projects, presented on April 28 and May 5.

Dr. Bridget Pieschel, chair of the Department of Languages, Literature and Philosophy, and interim chair of the Department of History, Political Science and Geography, said she hopes students use what they learn to develop and understand new ideas about being human and interacting in a global environment.

“The learning that they start here will help them think critically about themselves as citizens, as human beings, for the rest of their lives,” said Pieschel.

More information on the honors program and this semester’s topics can be found online at www.muw.edu/honors.