Plastic Ocean: How a Sea Captain's Chance Discovery Launched an Obsessive Quest to Save the Oceans

Oceanographic research vessel captain Charles Moore discusses the impact that plastic and other disposable items are having on the world's oceans and sea life, in particular in the area now commonly known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

 

 

The Future is in the Dirt: Digging into the potential for local food systems to revitalize community and economy

Ben Hewitt, author of The Town That Food Saved, describes how regionalized food-based enterprise can be used to create sustainable economic development and wean our nation of its unhealthy dependence on industrial food.

 

 

Selecting Our Nation's Judges: Are Judicial Elections Conducive to a System of Fair Justice?

In combination with the Brody Award Convocation, a distinguished panel moderated by Hon. John Woodcock (U.S. District Court, Maine) discussed questions focused on electing, as opposed to appointing, judges. Panelists included: Hon. Barbara Lynn (U.S. District Court, North District of Texas), Prof. Dmitry Bam (Maine Law), Prof. James Sample (Hofstra Law), and Prof. Jed Shugerman (Harvard Law).

 

 

America's Energy Future: A View from the Producers

Kristen Lingley, manager of government relations for the Independent Petroleum Producers of America, discusses the nation's energy needs and ways they can be met from the perspective of the independent crude oil and natural gas explorers/producers in the U.S.

 

 

The Swing Vote: The Untapped Power of Independents

Focusing on swing demographic groups in swing states, Linda Killian discusses her new model of the swing voters, revealing who they are and what they want from their government. Her work examines this intense frustration that these voters feel with government policies and with the two-party system.

 

 

The Healthcare Debate: Perspectives from the American Hospital Association

Dr. John R. Combes, senior vice president of the American Hospital Association and president and chief operating officer of the Center for Healthcare Governance, discussed the recent political debates over the cost and provision of health care to American citizens, speaking from the perspective of the hospital industry. 

 

 

Oak Research Organization Presentations

Colby students present the findings of independent research on excluded or marginalized groups that are asserting their human rights: the indigenous peoples of Bolivia, the Berbers of Morocco and France, Uyghurs in northwestern China, the Roma of Europe, travesti in urban Brazil, and the Banyamulenge in central Africa.

 

 

Young Teachers as Leaders in Urban School Reform

Teach Plus Boston Executive Director and former Boston Public Schools teacher Maria Fenwick (Colby '03) speaks about teachers' roles in urban school reform and education policy-making. Teachers with fewer than ten years of experience now make up a majority of teachers across the United States. At the same time, up to 50% of teachers leave teaching before the fifth year. How can young teachers make an impact and help to modernize the profession so that more top-performing teachers will stay... Read more »

 

 

Colby Volunteer Center Panel: Realities of Youth Homelessness in Maine

Throughout the month of November, the Colby Volunteer Center (CVC) is organizing a series of events to help increase awareness on campus about homelessness in the greater Waterville area. As part of this series, the CVC hosted a panel discussion focused specifically on the issues facing homeless youth in the state of Maine. Panelists included: Tony Veit, Youth Outreach Officer in Maine; Bodhi Simpson, Teen Parent Program Director/Counselor; and Betty Palmer, Executive Director of the Mid... Read more »