Austin College hosts Environmental Issues Forums

SHERMAN, TEXAS—Several Austin College students and faculty, plus one guest, will share experiences and expertise in environmental issues during the College’s Environmental Issues Lunch Forums this spring. The forums are sponsored by the Center for Environmental Studies. The sessions, all held at noon in Wright Campus Center, Room 231, are free and open to the public. Members of the public may bring a lunch or purchase one in the campus dining hall in Wright Campus Center.

Senior Michael Mortenson of Lucas, Texas, completing majors in environmental studies and political science, presents “The Presidential Impact on Environmental Policy” on March 27.

On Tuesday, April 3, junior Lauren Levine of Coppell, Texas, completing a major in environmental studies and a minor in anthropology, will share experiences from her January Term 2012 internship focusing on energy efficiency and efficiency consulting, along with senior Christopher Donovan of Mansfield, Texas, completing majors in environmental studies and political science, who will share marquee environmental law cases.

Guest Trammell S. Crow will speak on behalf of Texas Business for Clean Air, which he co-founded, on Tuesday, April 10. A native of Dallas, Crow is chairman of the Trammell and Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art. He is active in education, social issues, and business and supports many conservation and environmental efforts.

Austin College sciences faculty again offer “Stump the Chumps” on Tuesday, April 17, prepared to take questions on climate change from the audience. The faculty panel includes David Baker, associate professor of physics; George Diggs, professor of biology; Keith Kisselle, associate professor of biology and environmental science; Peter Schulze, professor of biology and environmental science and director of the Austin College Center for Environmental Studies; and Brad Smucker, associate professor of chemistry.

On Tuesday, April 24, senior Cassandra Ensminger of Plano, Texas, completing a major in environmental studies and minors in art history and community service and policy, will share from her experience in environmental education at the Dallas Arboretum, City of Plano’s sustainability emphasis, and Sneed Prairie Restoration Site. She will be joined by senior Grace Knott of Dallas, Texas, completing a major in environmental studies and minors in exercise and sport science and Spanish, will share “Adventures at Audubon” (Trinity River Audubon Center).

The spring’s final presentation, on Tuesday, May 1, is by senior Alyssa Tharp of Plano, Texas, completing a major in environmental studies and a minor in community service and policy. She will present “People Problems” through a film screening and discussion on its issues.

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.