The Art of Being Free - Faith and Ethics Speaker Series

Citizenship and Faith
Dr. Tony Campolo
September 3, 2008
10 a.m.
Massey Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Dr. Tony Campolo is a nationally celebrated speaker, the author of 35 books and a media commentator on religious, social and political matters. Campolo will demonstrate how the “red letter” words of Jesus move us beyond the Republican/Democrat dichotomy and into a world where the crisis of AIDS, war and failing public schools can be tackled. His latest book is Red Letter Christians: A Citizen’s Guide to Faith and Politics. He has been a guest on the television programs The Colbert Report, Nightline, Crossfire, Politically Incorrect, The Charlie Rose Show and Larry King Live. Campolo is the founder and president of the Evangelical Association of the Promotion of Education and has worked to create, nurture and support programs for “at-risk” children in cities across North American and has helped establish schools and universities in several developing countries.

The Cheating Culture: Ethics and Democracy
David Callahan
September 9, 2008
5 p.m.
Maddox Grand Atrium
David Callahan has written extensively about American history, business and public policy. He is author of The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead. Callahan's numerious articles have been published in such places as The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and The American Prospect. He has also been a frequent commentator on televesion programs on CNN, CBS, PBS, MSNBC and Fox News and has been a regular guest on radio talk shows across the United States, including appearances on such NPR programs as "Morning Edition", "The Connection" and "The Tavis Smiley Show". Callahan lectures frequently about issues of ethics and integrity to universities, associations and businesses.

The American Empire and the Kingdom of God
Dr. Stanley Hauerwas
September 17, 2008
10 a.m.
Massey Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
Dr. Stanley Hauerwas was named “America’s Best Theologian” by TIME magazine in 2001. Hauerwas will look at how a proper understanding of peace leads away from using violence to advance God’s work in the world. His work cuts across disciplinary lines, linking theology, ethics and political theory. His book, A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic, was selected as one of the 100 most important books on religion of the 20th century. Hauwerwas’ most recent book is The State of the University: Academic Knowledges and the Knowledge of God.

The Media and Religion
Barbara Bradley Hagerty
September 24, 2008
10 a.m.
Barbara Bradley Hagerty, the religion correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), will explore how the media reports – and misreports – the crucial interplay of faith and politics. At NPR, Hagerty reports on the intersection of faith and politics, law, science and culture, with stories ranging from the impeachment hearing of President Clinton to the Florida election to the DNA revolution. Hagerty was the lead correspondent covering the investigation into the September 11 attacks. Her reporting was part of NPR’s coverage that earned the network the 2001 George Foster Peabody and Overseas Press Club awards. She has appeared on the PBS programs Washington Week in Review and The Lehrer News Hour. In her capacity as religion correspondent, Hagerty received the 2004 Religion Newswriters Association award for radio reporting.

Ethical Responsibility in an Election Year: Is the Media Helping or Hurting?
September 26, 2008
10 a.m.
Frist Lecture Hall
The Center for Business Ethics and the New Century Journalism Program will host a lively dialogue centering on coverage of the presidential election. This program will feature John Seigenthaler, award-winning journalist and Founder of the First Amendment Center, and John Seigenthaler, Jr., Partner and CEO, Seigenthaler Public Relations New York, and former NBC news anchor.

Jesus For President
Shane Claiborne
October 1, 2008
10 a.m.
Neely Dining Hall
Shane Claiborne is the founder of The Simple Way. His new book, Jesus For President, was lauded by Publisher’s Weekly in a starred review as a “must-read election-year book for Christian Americans. What should Christians do when allegiances to the state clash with personal faith?” Claiborne will demonstrate how identification with those on the margins of society can challenge us to live in both personal and political solidarity with the poor.

Ethical Dilemmas: Power and Money
Cynthia Cooper
October 21, 2008
5 p.m.
Maddox Grand Atrium
Cynthia Cooper, WorldCom whistleblower, TIME Magazine 2002 Person of the Year, and author of Extraordinary Circumstances: The Journey of a Corporate Whistleblower will provide an insider's look at the rise and fall of WorldCom and share the lessons she learned through that experience.

Faith-Informed Political Science
Dr. Vaughn May
October 22, 2008
10 a.m.
Dr. Vaughn May, Belmont political science department chair, and members of the department will explore issues of faith, politics and their role in a Christian university.

How Would Jesus Vote?
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner
October 29, 2008
10 a.m.
Vince Gill Room
Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner is the former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, the organization of African-American members of Congress, and is president of the Skinner Leadership Institute. She has spent her career helping to develop a new generation of spiritually grounded leaders. She has also served on the boards of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, the National Political Congress of Black Women, the Christian Community Development Association and Evangelicals for Social Action.

The New President and the Politics of Faith
Melissa Rogers
November 5, 2008
10 a.m.
Neely Dining Hall
Melissa Rogers is founder and director of Wake Forest University's Center for Religion and Public Affairs and former executive director of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life in Washington, D.C. Rogers has appeared on NBC Nightly News, CNN and NPR, and her op-ed pieces have been published by ABC News and The Washington Post. She has worked as general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty based in Washington, D.C. Rogers has been recognized by National Journal as one of the church-state experts "politicians will call on when they get serious about addressing an important public policy issue."

The New Administration and the Economy: What Can We Expect?
Jonathan Wight
November 6, 2008
5 p.m.
Massey Board Room
Jonathan Wight, noted economist and author of Saving Adam Smith: A Tale of Wealth, Transformation, and Virtue, will discuss expectations of a new administration in the White House two days after the election.