Program Series on Immigration in Alabama to Include Seminar, Film, Debate and other Activities

This week Samford University kicks off a semester-long series of programs addressing immigration in Alabama, an issue that has brought national attention to the state since the passage of the controversial immigration law, HB 56.  The Mann Center and others at Samford have led dialogues on this issue for the last two years, and this spring's events will continue this examination of both the moral and the public policy dimensions of the debate.

On Feb. 10 the Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE) will sponsor an immigration forum at Samford.  Other events include a Feb. 20 film screening of "Gospel Without Borders," sponsored by Samford University Ministries' Reel Justice project; a Feb. 23 G92 South Immigration Conference; an April 3 student forum, "The Politics of Immigration: Making Decisions in an Age of Shouting," sponsored by the College Democrats and College Republicans; and an April 24 public debate on HB 56, sponsored by the Samford University Debate Team.

The semester’s activities will conclude with a Courageous Conversation on immigration, part of the Mann Center’s ongoing series designed to promote moral discourse by students on difficult issues.  Details on all of these events are available online.

Author of 'Faith in the Halls of Power' to Lead Two Programs on Christianity in Public Life

Sociologist and author Michael Lindsay will visit Samford Feb. 15 and 16 to present the A. Gerow Hodges Lecture in Ethics and Leadership and to lead an evening discussion forum. Dr. Lindsay, who serves as president of Gordon College in Wenham, Mass., has conducted extensive research on leadership and the influence of evangelicals in business, government, and other public arenas. Much of this research is reflected in his Pulitzer-nominated book, Faith in the Halls of Power.

On Wednesday evening, Feb. 15, Dr. Lindsay will join Mann Center Director John Knapp in a public forum on the topic, "Should Christians Seek Power?" The program at 6:00 p.m. in Samford’s Bolding Studio will be followed by a reception and book signing.  The following day, Dr. Lindsay will present the Hodges Lecture, "Does God Care How I Vote?," to students during 10:00 a.m. convocation. More information on these events is available online.

Samford Spring Conferences Address Critical Ethical Issues in Health-Care Practice

A March 9 symposium, "Palliative Care: In Search of the Good Death," will address critical questions related to health care reform and patient autonomy.  Cosponsored by the Mann Center and Cumberland School of Law's Center for Biotechnology, Law and Ethics, it will be open to the public.  Panelists include Professor Kathy Cerminara, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., Rice University; Dr. Elizabeth Kvale, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Dr. Ryan Nash, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Professor Leonard (Jack) Nelson, Cumberland School of Law. Professor David Smolin, director of the Center for Biotechnology, Law and Ethics, will moderate.  More information is available online.

On April 13, Samford’s Healthcare Ethics & Law (HEAL) Institute will host the conference, "Moral Distress at the Bedside: A Role for Hospital Ethics Committees?," featuring speakers Dr. David Brushwood, University of Florida; Dr. John Lantos, University of Missouri Kansas City; Professor Leonard (Jack) Nelson, Cumberland School of Law; and Dr. Joy Hinson Penticuff, Concordia University.  Registration information and more details are available online.