Spring Skeptics Series Continues

Blair Academy’s Society of Skeptics series, under the direction of Dr. Marty Miller, continues this spring with another dynamic line-up. These programs – free and open to the public – occur on Tuesday evenings, from 7-8 p.m., in Cowan Auditorium/Bogle Hall. On March 30, Marc Elliot spoke on the topic, ”Don’t Judge a Book by Its Noises.” Elliot has dealt with Tourette’s syndrome and a medical disorder, both of which have taught him many lessons about tolerance. Due to student demand, he returned to Blair after presenting a well-received Skeptics program in April 2009 that included role-playing and audience participation. Marc talked about what has transpired in his life since his presentation last year here at Blair. A frequent speaker at schools, Marc has posted a YouTube video to help educate others about his affliction. Click here to check it out.

Click to view larger

April 6
The James Youngelson ’53 Lecture on Ethics and Responsibility: “The Elections of Judges: What’s So Ethical About THAT?”
    A panel discussion of ethics and responsibility featuring prominent New Jersey judges and lawyers and focusing on a recent U.S. Supreme Court case. This lecture series honors alumnus Jim Youngelson ’53 – an attorney and former president of the Morris County (N.J.) Bar Association – for his service to others and seeks to inspire in young people the ideals of justice, responsibility and service. The panelists will discuss whether justice is truly served in the overall court system as a result of the fact that judges are elected in 39 of the 50 U.S. states (although under somewhat differing rules depending on the particular state). Mr. Youngelson notes, “This question becomes all the more fascinating when compared with the conclusions of our own Founding Fathers, especially John Adams, that federal judges should not be elected or made subject to re-election. Put another way: How best to maintain a more level judicial playing field whereby all our citizens would at least come away with the feeling they have been fairly treated, no matter what the outcome.”

April 20
Herman Hollerith Lecture on Entrepreneurship
David Sokol, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. & Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NetJets, Inc.
    Mr. Sokol, a past Blair parent and Trustee, has held a number of positions in the independent power industry and founded a waste-to-energy company in the 1980s. He holds a B.S. degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. The Hollerith lecture series was established in 2001 by Richard Hollerith, Jr., the parent of Susan S. Cashin ’85. The series is named in memory of Mr. Hollerith’s grandfather, Herman Hollerith, a son of German immigrants and a graduate of the Columbia College School of Mines in 1879.

April 27
Mark E. Moroge, Associate for Climate Initiative, Rainforest Alliance
   Mr. Moroge will discuss “Working with the Nature Conservancy’s Brazilian Office: Carbon Project in Atlantic Forest.” Based in New York City, the alliance works worldwide to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior.

Updated 3/31/2010

> Return to 2009-2010 Table of Contents

return to top