WVU Parkersburg PTK chapter hosting satellite seminar series

WVU Parkersburg Phi Theta Kappa chapter to host satellite seminar series.

CONTACT:  Dianne Davis, PTK advisor, 304-372-6992.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Phi Theta Kappa chapter will host a fall semester satellite seminar series on the theme "The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences."

The college's Sigma Omega chapter will host the following free seminars: "Lessons from Abroad: Opportunities in a Borderless World" by Dr. Richard Heinzl, Sept. 23; "Pathways out of Poverty through Green Collar Jobs: The Role of Scholarship in Improving Quality of Lie for Urban Residents," by Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes, Oct. 7; "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner, Oct.21, and "Archaeological Evidence for the Origins of Affluence" by Dr. Michael Galaty, Nov. 18.

Open to the public, the presentations all begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in Room 2206 at WVU Parkersburg. Each session is approximately one hour long with a short discussion to follow. Seating is limited; reservations may be made by contacting the college's Social Sciences Division at 304-424-8253.



Dr. Heinzl will share stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. He will talk about how similar the world’s people are and illustrate how a simple Frisbee he introduced to a crowd of kids at the frontlines has now permeated their ancient Asian culture. He will provide insightful perspectives on the paradox of affluence, between the challenges of a borderless world and making a difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Pinderhughes will discuss the significant problems of poverty and unemployment in the United States and the urgent need for stable living wage jobs for low income adults, particularly those with barriers to employment such as not having a high school or GED degree, limited labor market skills, being incarcerated, and/or being out of the labor market for a long period of time. This presentation focuses on pathways out of poverty through green collar jobs and how scholars can be involved in social change and directly contribute to improving quality of life for urban residents.

Weiner has traveled to the places that surveys show are the happiest on earth to see what makes these people happy. His presentation will journey from America to Iceland to India, asking why Asheville, NC is so happy. Are people in Switzerland happier because it is the most democratic country in the world? Does Bhutan’s official tracking of its Gross National Happiness help to make them happier? He will provide surprising insights into why and how place matters in our search for happiness.

Dr. Galaty will discuss the archaeological origins of affluence which can be traced to the Neolithic (“New Stone”) Age, the period (beginning circa 6000 BC) during which human beings the world over domesticated plants and animals. The transition to agriculture and settled village life may have been adaptations to changes in the environment, but changes in prehistoric social life may be implicated as well. He will note that the original paradox is that humans gave up hunting and gathering at all.

The satellite series is presented by PTK, the international honor society of two-year colleges and has recognized academic excellence in the two-year college since 1918. The society is comprised of more than 1,200 chapters at community, technical and junior colleges in all 50 of the United States, in Canada, Germany, U.S. Territories, the Republic of Palau and the British Virgin Islands. It is the largest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges. Membership is based primarily upon academic achievement.

cd10/18/08

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)

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