December 9, 2014 – Coffee & Politics Series
Meet Your Legislators
Representative Susan Fagan, Senator Mark Schoesler, and Representative Joe Schmick discuss issues facing the legislature in the upcoming 2015 session.
November 18, 2014 – Coffee & Politics Series
“Games without Rules: The Fight for Afghanistan” with Tamim Ansary
Author and historian Tamim Ansary spoke on the present and future condition of Afghanistan. The discussion was facilitated in partnership with WSU Dept. of History, The Center for Humanities, Asia Studies Program, Middle East Students Association, Roots of Contemporary Issues Program, and the International Students’ Council.
October 2, 2014 – Distinguished Lecture Series
“Saving American Capitalism: Inequality in America” with Nick Hanauer
Entrepreneur, civic activist, philanthropist, education advocate, and member of the 1%, Nick Hanauer argued that the economic status quo of the United States and the shrinking middle class is a detriment to everyone—including the very wealthiest. Successful capitalism, he argued, is the greatest social technology ever invented to create prosperity in human societies, but when left unchecked, leads to concentration of capital and eventual collapse.
October 14, 2014 – Public Lecture
“Hong Kong: Behind the Protests and Beyond” with Alejandro Reyes
Visiting associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, Alejandro Reyes, spoke about democratic protesters in Hong Kong.
October 28, 2014 – Coffee & Politics Series
“From Bullets to the Peace Process” with Jon McCourt
Jon McCourt, civil rights activist and former member of the Irish Republican Army, was welcomed to the Foley Institute. McCourt spoke about the complexities of Irish Politics from the late 1960’s until the end of the 1990’s, and described his time as a member of the IRA during historical events such as Bloody Sunday and Bloody Friday.
October 31, 2014 – Coffee & Politics Series
“Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers”
Representative of Washington’s 5th district Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers introduced herself and discussed issues of importance for twenty minutes, and then opened the floor up to questions from a standing-room-only crowd comprised of WSU faculty, staff, and students, as well as Pullman community members.
September 18, 2014 – Public Lecture
“The Need for an American Land Ethic” with Walter Echo-Hawk
Walter Echo-Hawk discussed the need for an American land & sea ethic as a necessary foundation for addressing the global environmental crisis & the role of indigenous peoples in helping nations form environmental ethics. Echo-Hawk is a Native American attorney, tribal judge, author, activist, & law professor.
Co-Sponsored with WSU Native American Programs, College of Education, & CEREO
September 24, 2014 – Coffee & Politics Series
“Meet the Candidate” with Joe Pakootas
Congressional democratic candidate, Joe Pakootas discussed his experience as former chairman of the Colville Tribal Council and the current CEO of the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation, as well as dispelled common misconceptions about Native American tribes. Pakootas was challenger of Cathy McMorris Rodgers for the seat of U.S. Representative for the 5th congressional district of Washington, a seat formerly held by Speaker Foley.
September 24, 2014 – Science, Ethics, & Public Policy Series
Panel discussion: “Poison Everywhere: The Ethics, Law and Policy Regulation on Environmental Toxins”
The forum focused on analysis of policy regulation of environmental toxicants. Michael Skinner, Professor of Biological Sciences at WSU; Carl Cranor, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at University of California- Riverside; and Raoul Lievanos, Assistant Professor of Sociology at WSU discussed the role that public policy plays in maintaining environmental justice, such as protecting citizens from harm.
September 26, 2014
Cougar Pre-Law Day
Experts from the academic and professional legal communities will be on campus to talk to students about law school and offer advice about admissions and the law school experience. Speakers include WSU alumni and WA State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen.