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ECU PKP Chapter Activities
NOTEWORTHY NEWS | CALENDAR | DEBATE SERIES | LECTURES
| ANNUAL FORUM
In addition to initiation ceremonies and their associated banquets, the ECU Chapter #114 of Phi Kappa Phi sponsors a variety of activities aimed at enriching the intellectual environment of the campus.
ANNUAL FORUM
Phi Kappa Phi Fall Forum on "Health Care: A Public or Private Good "
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Brody Auditorium with break in the old library
"Health Care: Public or Private Good," a forum at East Carolina University sponsored by the ECU Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Dr. Henry Aaron, Senior Fellow of the Brookings Institution, will be the keynote speaker of the forum. Following Dr. Aaron's presentation, we will convene a panel of North Carolina scholars to comment on the symposium topic and on the keynote address.
FORUM BROCHURE
FORUM DETAILS
BUS TRANSIT PICKUP from east campus to Brody SOM
Faculty/Staff PARKING AT BRODY SOM
PARKING INFORMATION for Visitors
GREENVILLE AREA MAP
Phi Kappa Phi Leadership Forum on "Connecting Community Colleges and the Four-Year Institutions of North Carolina"
October 23, 2006
On October 23, 2006, the East Carolina University Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi presented over 200 attendees with a leadership forum
"Connecting Community Colleges and the Four-Year Institutions of North Carolina."
FORUM SUMMARY | Pieces of Eight ARTICLE | PHOTOS
DEBATE SERIES
The chapter has sponsored an ongoing series of debates dealing with topics
of current interest. These events utilize a classic debate format, wherein
each debater presents his or her central position, followed by an opportunity
to rebut the opponent’s position, and then a question-and-answer
period in which members of the audience may direct inquiries to one or
both participants. At the conclusion, each debater briefly summarizes
his or her position and members of the audience vote on which point of
view they find to be most convincing. The combination of highly qualified
debaters and timely, often controversial topics has produced lively exchanges
and vigorous audience participation.
Phi Kappa Phi Panel Discussion on "The Merits of
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)"
February 24, 2004
This Phi Kappa Phi-sponsored panel discussion on Hormone Replacement Therapy
by internal medicine practicioner Janice Busher, MD, and Marcie Parker,
PharmD, RPx and MBA, a staff pharmacist with Healthwise Pharmacy in Greenville,
was moderated by Doyle “Skip” Cummings, PharmD. The panel discussion
touced on the pluses and negatives associated with hormone replacement
therapy and an alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy.
Increased National Security vs. Infringement Upon Civil Liberties:
In Search of the Proper Balance
April 25, 2002
This debate featured Dr. Tinsley Yarbrough, Professor of Political Science
at East Carolina University, and Dr. Michael Palmer, Professor and Chairperson
of History at ECU. Using the so-called USA Patriot Act as a starting point,
Dr. Yarbrough warned against the dangers of infringing upon basic civil
liberties, whereas Dr. Palmer focused on the republic’s need to protect
itself from external enemies. Dr. Yarbrough, Arts and Sciences Distinguished
Professor and Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science, has
published eight books on the U. S. Supreme Court and some of its most
prominent chief justices. Palmer has published eight books on various
aspects of naval and military history. Both have received prestigious
awards for their scholarly contributions.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Is It Ethical?
November 8, 2001
Dr. David Resnick, Associate Professor of Medical Humanities at the Brody
School of Medicine at East Carolina University, took the position that
such research, if governed by a specific set of definitions and limitations,
was justifiable on the basis of potential medical benefits. Dr. Anton
Usala, Clinical Professor and Section Head of Pediatric Endocrinology
at the Brody School of Medicine, argued against the use of embryonic stem
cells in research, his contention being that other, less controversial
techniques are available and equally promising. Usala, who is also the
founder and part-time CEO of Encell, Inc., holds eleven patents and has
twice testified before the U.S. Senate on the issue of stem cell research.
Resnick has authored over 50 articles on bioethics and authored The Ethics
of Science: An Introduction (Rutledge, 1998) and co-authored Human Germ-line
Gene Therapy: Scientific, Moral, and Political Issues (Landes, 1999).
A Discussion of Our Campaign Finance System – A Town Style
Discussion of Our Campaign Finance System and Its Impact on Our People
April 4, 2001
Panel Discussion Participants: Carmine Scavo (ECU Political Science Professor),
Arielle Morris (ECU student and Greenville City Council Member), Randy
Royal (Pitt County Commissioner), Keith Cooper (educator and businessman),
Chris Fitzsimon (Common Sense Foundation), and Tom Lamprecht (businessman)
Is there too much money in politics? Here is what the people think.
• 93% of NC voters believe that political campaigns are too much
influenced by money (source: 1998 Your Voice, Your Vote poll)
• “most candidates don’t have the interests of citizens
like me at heart” a statement that 77% of NC citizens agree with
( source: NC Your Voice Your Vote) 1998
What are the campaigns spending?
• 170 General Assembly members spent $15 million to get elected in 2000
• three times more than what winners spent in 1994
• a 27% increase from 1998
source for above: N.C. State Board of Elections, based on campaign finance
reports
Who is contributing?
• just one percent of North Carolinians give ninety percent of all campaign
contributions
What is happening on election day
• Less than 20% voter turnout in May 2000 primary in N.C.
• 56.7% of registered voters participated in November 2000 election
in North Carolina, ranking as one of the lowest turnouts in a Presidential
election year ever
• NC ranks among the lowest ten states for voter participation
(source FEC records)
• More than a third of candidates in the North Carolina General Assembly
(35%) did not even face opposition in the November 2000 election
The panelists discussed the implications of these facts and
shared perceptions on how best to address them.
Accountability and Testing in North Carolina: On the Track or Headed
for Derrailment?
November
27, 2000
Whether standardized end-of-grade tests should figure prominently in promotion
decisions was the topic of this debate. Dr. Luis Fabrizio (Director of
the Accountability Section, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction)
supports the use of such tests. Dr. Irv Besecker (a high school teacher
in Winston-Salem and the State Coordinator for North Carolina Citizens
for Democratic Schools) opposes such testing. Although the debaters found
some common ground (Both agree that the hand-wringing over educational
comparisons of American with international students has been overdone
and that “teaching the test” is a bad idea), they differed in
their views on the usefulness of standardized testing. Besecker sees it
as counter-productive because the tests are inadequate and retention has
not been demonstrated to be helpful to students. Fabrizio counters that
the tests reduce retention rates and that the accountability derived from
them is the state’s responsibility to the tax-paying public.
Coastal Development: Economic Development and Conservation
April 3, 2000
Joan Altman, Mayor of Oak Island, NC, argued for the necessity of continued
coastal development, and Doug Rader, Senior Scientist with the N.C. Office
of Environmental Defense, elucidated reasons for limiting development
in order to conserve a natural resource. Ms. Altman graduated in biology
and did graduate work in metallurgy/materials testing at the University
of Virginia, worked for the Navy on design and testing of nuclear reactors,
and later started a construction company in Southport/Oak Island. Dr.
Rader, who received his PhD from UNC Chapel Hill, previously worked in
the NC Division of Environmental Management and the NC Division of Coastal
Management.
Accountability and Testing in North Carolina: On the Track or headed for
Derailment?
Bioengineered Foods: Frankenfood or Boon to Modern Society?
Feb. 9, 2000
This debate featured Dr. Ronald Sederoff Professor of Foerstry at North
Carolina State University, and Dr. Dennis Cooley, Visiting Assistant Professor
of Philosophy at East Carolina University. Dr. Sederoff, one of the world’s
leading forest biotechnologists, argued in favor of the practice of genetically
altering food products. Dr. Cooley, who specializes in ethical theory
and applied ethics, took the opposing viewpoint.
TOP
LECTURES
The ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi also sponsors lectures by distinguished
scholars on a variety of topics.
Lecture: The Last Samurai in History and Popular Culture
March 22, 2005, 7 pm, Science and Technology Building, OC307
Dr. Mark Ravina, Professor of History, Emory University
Dr. Ravina is author of The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo
Takamori. Sponsored by the Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, the
Interdisciplinary Program in Asian Studies, the Department of History,
Regional Development Services, the Japan Center East, and the ECU chapter
of Phi Kappa Phi. No admission fee; the public is welcome.
A showing of The Last Samurai follows, 9-11 p.m.
Lecture flyer
Artist's Presentation: Oral Tradition and Magic
November 4, 2004, 4 pm, 1032 Bate Building
Honorio Robledo
Honorio Robledo is a multifaceted visual artist who has been published
as an illustrator, a cartoonist and a writer. He holds a degree in Languages
and Hispanic Literature from the internationally-recognized Universidad
Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. In addition to his publications, Honorio
is also an accomplished musician. He plays the jarana, the principal
string Instrument in his jarocho musical group "Matanga."
The group dedicates much of its energy to the research and promotion of
the Son Jarocho, the unique musical expression of Veracruz. They have
performed In Mexico, Canada and Cuba.
Reception to follow.
America at the Millenium
March 7, 2000
Haynes Johnson
Haynes Johnson, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling author/historian,
and television commentator has reported on virtually every major national
and international news event in the past four decades. After serving in
the Korean Conflict as a first lieutenant in artillery, Johnson began
his newspaper career in 1956 as a reporter for the Wilmington News-Journal.
The following year he joined the Washington Star and ten years later won
the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished national reporting on the civil rights
struggle in Selma, Alabama. He then had an extended affiliation with the
Washington Post—which he joined in 1969—and which published
his acclaimed column on national affairs.
Johnson, who holds a master’s degree in American History from the
University of Wisconsin, has been a Regents Lecturer at the University
of California at Berkeley, a Guest Scholar at the Brookings Institution,
and has twice been appointed Ferris Professor of Journalism and Public
Affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of a dozen books, both
fiction and non-fiction.
As the electronic culture explodes, affecting every element of America’s
attitudes and values, Haynes Johnson presentation, “America at the
Millennium”, demonstrated that he continues to dissect contemporary
society and pinpoint emerging national trends.
Perspectives on Phi Kappa Phi at East Carolina University
April 18, 2001
John Howell, Angelo Volpe, William Bloodworth, Richard Eakin
The combined presentation of four members or former members of the ECU
Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, all who have risen to the level of chancellor
or president of a university, highlighted the spring 2001 initiation ceremony.
Each speaker reflected on ECU and the role of Phi Kappa Phi on campus
at the time when they were active members of our local chapter.
John Howell was trained in political science, receiving his PhD from Duke.
John came to ECU in 1957 and held numerous positions, including department
chair, Dean of Arts & Sciences, Dean of the Graduate School, Provost
and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and finally Chancellor from
1982 to 1987.
During Chancellor Howell’s tenure, he had a Vice Chancellor for Academic
Affairs by the name of Angelo Volpe. Dr. Volpe held this position from
1983 to 1987. Dr. Volpe received his PhD in organic and polymer chemistry
in 1966 from the University of Maryland and joined ECU as the Chair of
Chemistry in 1977. Like Chancellor Howell, Dr. Volpe also served as Dean
of Arts & Sciences. Dr. Volpe left ECU in 1987 and became President
of Tennessee Technological University, a position from which he recently
retired in 2000.
Following Dr. Volpe, a gentleman by the name of Dr. William Bloodworth
served as acting Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs from 1987 to 1989.
Dr. Bloodworth received his PhD in American Civilization from U. of Texas,
Austin, in 1972. He joined the ECU faculty the same year and became Chair
of the Department of English in 1982. After leaving ECU, Dr. Bloodworth
served first as the Chief Academic Officer at Central Missouri State University
from 1989 until 1993 when he became President of Augusta State University.
Dr. Bloodworth also served as President of the ECU Chapter of PKP in 1989.
Following Dr. Howell as Chancellor of ECU was Chancellor Richard Eakin,
who became our Chancellor in 1987 and stepped down in July 2001. Chancellor
Eakin received his PhD in Mathematics from Washington State University
in 1964 and then moved to Bowling Green State University where he held
a number of administrative positions before becoming our Chancellor. He
was, in order, both Assistant and Associate Dean of the Graduate School
and Director of Graduate Admissions, Vice Provost for Student Affairs,
Vice Provost for Institutional Planning and Student Affairs, Executive
Vice Provost for Planning and Budgeting and Vice President for Planning
and Budgeting.
Ethical Issues in Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
September 5, 2001
LeRoy B. Walters
LeRoy B. Walters, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., Professor of Christian Ethics
at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics and Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown
University, discussed the ethics of human embryonic stem cell research
under the co-sponsorship of the ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. Walters
is a nationally recognized expert on the ethics of human-subject research.
He is the former director of the Kennedy Institute, which houses the largest
university-based group of faculty members in the world devoted to research
and teaching in biomedical ethics and other areas of applied ethics. He
is the co-author of Ethics in Human Gene Therapy (1997, Oxford University
Press) and co-editor of a leading textbook, Contemporary Issues in Bioethics.
Dr. Walters discussed ethical issues of human embryonic stem cell research
from his perspective as a scholar at a catholic university.
Degrees of Danger – How Smarter Energy Choices Can Improve
Our Health, Climate and Security in North Carolina
March 20, 2002
Dr. Kent J. Branford
The ECU Chapter cosponsored Dr. Bransford’s presentation. A member
of the National Board of Directors of Physicians for Social Responsibility,
Dr. Bransford earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the
University of California, Berkeley and his medical degree from Columbia
University. A board certified specialist in medical oncology and hematology,
he trained at the Norris Cancer Center at the University of Southern California
and then practiced in a community cancer center while serving part-time
on the clinical faculty at the University of California, Irvine. During
a sabbatical, he served as medical director at a remote clinic in Nepal,
and now does voluntary consultant work in free clinics in California and
Mexico in addition to his lecturing duties for Physicians for Social Responsibility.
His presentation focused on why we are experiencing climate change and
increased air pollution, the resulting implications for public health
and the environment, and how we can begin to reverse these changes through
smarter and profitable energy choices.
Individualism and Folk Psychology in the Scientific Study of Aggression
October 23, 2003, Hendricks Theater (Mendenhall Student Center)
Dr. Helen E. Longino
Helen E. Longino, who received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the Johns
Hopkins University, is
a Professor of Philosophy and Women's Studies and member of the Minnesota
Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Minnesota. Her work
in the philosophy of science has focused on two areas: the character of
scientific knowledge practices and a variety of philosophical issues raised
by the scientific study of behavior. She is known particularly for bringing
feminist concerns about gender into conversation with mainstream work
in both of these domains of inquiry. Her research has been recognized
by grants from the National Science Foundation, as well as from private
foundations, and has been widely published in a variety of journals. Her
first book, Science as Social Knowledge, was published by Princeton University
Press in 1990. Her new book, The Fate of Knowledge, will be available,
also from Princeton University Press, in late 2001.