President's Peace Commission

The Reverend John Moder, President of St. Mary's University, presents Dr. Antonio Rigual, National President of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Dr. Rigual discusses the purposes of HACU and the problems inherent in the American higher education system facing Hispanic Americans that HACU seeks to address. (30 minutes)

Mrs. Simone Donahue, eighth grade history teacher and Middle School Representative of the North East Independent School District to the American Federation of Teachers, discusses ways to make justice part of our daily lives; these include maintaining a critical attitude toward the media, keeping abreast of current events using a variety of sources, and being politically engaged. She stresses the importance of including these activities and values in our educational system. (45 minutes)

Sr. Ann Semel, St. Mary's University Project 30 coordinator, introduces Dr. Daniel Fallon, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and professor of psychology at Texas A & M, and National Director of Project 30. Dr. Fallon discusses the objectives and components of the project, a national initiative to improve teacher training. He then stresses the need to embrace, rather than fear the perpetual crisis facing American education. (45 minutes)

Dr. Greg Walters, professor of theology at St. Mary's University and coordinator of the Peace and Justice minor, presents Fr. John A. Leies, Director of the St. Mary's Institute for Professional Ethics, and Barbara Bader Aldave, Dean of St. Mary's University School of Law. The focus is the realization of St. Mary's University's mission to contribute to peace and social justice. The speakers discuss the Peace and Justice minor program and efforts by the School of Law to provide opportunities for its students to develop interest in and gain experience in public interest law. (49 minutes)

Dr. Greg Walters, professor of theology at St. Mary's University and coordinator of the Peace and Justice minor, presents Dr. Suhail Bashrui, of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management of the University of Maryland. Dr. Bashrui shares his experiences with conflict in the Middle East and discusses the idea of peace through literature and the need to rethink our education programs. (40 minutes)