WSOU

"Words Matter"Broadcasts to Air Throughout the Week

Date: June 16, 2014

Summit, NJ (June 11, 2014) – NJ Arts News released today the first two of its five-part radio series Words Matter.NJ Arts News produced this series of interviews with leaders of New Jersey higher education to explore and define vital connections among civics, media, sustainability, and democracy. Parts I and II are available as podcasts at www.njartsnews.org. The entire five-part radio series will be broadcast by Seton Hall Pirate Radio WSOU FM 89.5 FM at 7 p.m., Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20, 2014. Other radio stations are encouraged to air any or all segments.

Words Matter Part I features Dr. Peter Mercer, President of Ramapo College and Vice Chair of the NJ Association of Colleges and Universities. Dr. Mercer discusses the challenges of college leadership, the essential role of humanities in confronting questions of purpose and meaning, and the problems of over-extending economic theory. "The notion that economics is the lens through which the world should be viewed, and particularly the world of higher education should be viewed, is very, very badly flawed," he says.

Dr. Judith Stark, Professor of Philosophy and Co-Director of the Environmental Studies Program at Seton Hall University, explores the intersection of philosophy, ethics, and an "attunement to nature" in Words Matter Part II.Noting the "deep systemic changes that are going to be required in the next 10 to 15 years" she observes that "without a healthy planet, we cannot be healthy people." Dr. Stark defines quality of life as the ability "to direct one's life in a way that suits one's character and values."

Three other distinguished leaders are featured in Words Matter Parts III – V:Dr. Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University, Newark; Dr. Michael Zavada, Seton Hall University's Dean of Arts and Sciences; and Princeton University's President Emerita Dr. Shirley Tilghman.

Words Matter is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more about the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, see www.njch.org.

CONTACT: Susan Haig, Series Producer, and Founder and Creative Director of NJ Arts News, at njandevelopment@gmail.com.

"Words Matter" was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations in this video do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

nj council

 

More information...

NJ Arts News - www.njartsnews.org - is a Summit-based nonprofit cultural news site that fosters

"non-partisan, no-blame" civics-based cultural news and discourse.Founded in 2009 by producer and creative director Susan Haig, NJ Arts News segments have been broadcast on NJTV, WWOR, WBGO, WHYY NewsWorks.org news site, and various local cable channels.Segments are produced by an independent creative team, and funded primarily through donations and grants.

Words Matter Series Overview:

Part I:Dr. Peter Mercer, President, Ramapo College (Duration: 8:16)

Peter Mercer shares thoughts, humor, and personal anecdotes on the challenges and rewards ofcollege leadership, the central role of humanities in education, and the importance of words and meaning.Bio: Dr. Mercer holds an LL.M. and Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and a J.D. from the University of Western Ontario, where he later served as Dean of the Faculty of Law.He is currently Vice Chair of the NJ Association of Colleges and Universities.

Part II:Dr. Judith Stark, Professor of Philosophy, Co-director of Environmental Studies, Associate Director of Honors Program, Seton Hall University (Duration: 7:13)

Judith Stark suggests "quality of life," as a new metric, and to ensure a healthy, thriving planet, underscores the need for citizen responsibility, respect for nature, and a rich interior life. Bio: Dr. Stark holds a B.A. from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, an M.A. from Marquette University, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research in NYC.

Part III:Dr. Nancy Cantor, Chancellor, Rutgers University – Newark (Duration: 7:33)

Nancy Cantor speaks about Newark's potential for growth, her love of Social Psychology and creative dialogue, and the news media's role in empowering diverse voices and fostering collaboration.Bio: Dr. Cantor served 9 years as Chancellor of Syracuse University; she holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University.

Part IV:Dr. Michael Zavada, Dean of Arts and Sciences & Professor of Biology, Seton Hall University, and Dr. Judith Stark (Duration: 10:30)

Michael Zavada speaks about environmental change as a "test of humanity," and the necessity of citizen knowledge and civic action.Bio: Dr. Zavada served as Professor and Chair of Tennessee State University's Biological Sciences Department, holds an M.S. in Botany from Arizona State University and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University Connecticut-Storrs.

Part V:Dr. Shirley Tilghman, President Emerita, Princeton University (Duration: 7:09)

Shirley Tilghman discusses arts as central to undergraduate education, the urgency of "putting a price on carbon" to motivate environmental stewardship, and the need for women in leadership. Bio: Dr. Tilghman served 12 years as President of Princeton University and is a Professor of Molecular Biology at Princeton. She holds an Honors B.Sc. in Chemistry from Queen's University in Ontario and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Temple University.

Series Producer: Susan Haig Interview Recording: Gene Guerrero

Editor: Sonia SchneeText Editors: Timothy Huke; Avery Kannatt

Posted in: WSOU

Seton Hall

Seton Hall

Merchandise

wsou store