In 1987 the United Nations defined sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Since then, an accelerating global demand for natural resources has exceeded the earth's ability to replenish itself.
To address this issue in-depth, Mount Mercy University’s 2018 Fall Faculty Series—titled Sustainability: Human/Nature & the Future of the Earth—focuses on the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern of care for the earth. The three-month series looks at the human relationship with the planet we call home and explores the environmental, economic, social, and spiritual causes and consequences of a growing planetary crisis.
The kick-off event, Defining Sustainability for Our Times, is on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. in Mount Mercy’s on-campus Flaherty Community Room (204 Basile Hall). Series organizer and Professor of English Joy Ochs, Ph.D., will discuss a comprehensive definition of sustainability and provide a road map of the social, economic, and environmental concerns that will be addressed in the series.
“Environmental degradation impacts every person living on this planet,” Ochs said. “The problem is both urgent and complicated, so it is important to understand it from a variety of angles and draw on different areas of expertise as we look toward solutions. We look forward to a rich conversation during the series.”
2018 Fall Faculty Series Events
Please note, all events will take place at 7 p.m. in Flaherty Community Room (204 Basile Hall).
Aug. 29
Series Overview: Defining Sustainability for Our Times
Joy Ochs, Ph.D., Professor of English
Sept. 6
Beyond Silent Spring: From Rachel Carson to Sustainability
Edy Parsons, Ph.D., Professor of History
Sept. 18
Pope Francis'Laudato Sí: Harmony with the Natural Order and the Dignity of Creatures
Bryan Cross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Oct. 11
Hot Story: How the Media Struggles to Cover Climate Change
Joseph Sheller, M.A., Associate Professor of Communications
Oct. 22
Global Social and Economic Sustainability: Supporting Environmental Practices
Kate O’Neill, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Strategic Leadership
Nov. 1
Rachael Murtaugh, M.S., Director of Sustainability and Stewardship
Nov. 19
Addressing Consumerism: The Life-Cycle of Stuff
Kris Keuseman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry
Tracy Tunwall, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Business
Mount Mercy’s Fall Faculty Series is a community favorite, filling nearly every seat at each past event. Subjects covered in previous series include World War I, the Vietnam War, the U.S. as an immigrant nation, and democracy in a fractured age. All events are free and open to the public.
To learn more about the series and individual events, visit www.mtmercy.edu/fall-faculty-series.
In 1987 the United Nations defined sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Since then, an accelerating global demand for natural resources has exceeded the earth's ability to replenish itself.
To address this issue in-depth, Mount Mercy University’s 2018 Fall Faculty Series—titled Sustainability: Human/Nature & the Future of the Earth—focuses on the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern of care for the earth. The three-month series looks at the human relationship with the planet we call home and explores the environmental, economic, social, and spiritual causes and consequences of a growing planetary crisis.
The kick-off event, Defining Sustainability for Our Times, is on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. in Mount Mercy’s on-campus Flaherty Community Room (204 Basile Hall). Series organizer and Professor of English Joy Ochs, Ph.D., will discuss a comprehensive definition of sustainability and provide a road map of the social, economic, and environmental concerns that will be addressed in the series.
“Environmental degradation impacts every person living on this planet,” Ochs said. “The problem is both urgent and complicated, so it is important to understand it from a variety of angles and draw on different areas of expertise as we look toward solutions. We look forward to a rich conversation during the series.”
2018 Fall Faculty Series Events
Please note, all events will take place at 7 p.m. in Flaherty Community Room (204 Basile Hall).
Aug. 29
Series Overview: Defining Sustainability for Our Times
Joy Ochs, Ph.D., Professor of English
Sept. 6
Beyond Silent Spring: From Rachel Carson to Sustainability
Edy Parsons, Ph.D., Professor of History
Sept. 18
Pope Francis'Laudato Sí: Harmony with the Natural Order and the Dignity of Creatures
Bryan Cross, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Oct. 11
Hot Story: How the Media Struggles to Cover Climate Change
Joseph Sheller, M.A., Associate Professor of Communications
Oct. 22
Global Social and Economic Sustainability: Supporting Environmental Practices
Kate O’Neill, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Strategic Leadership
Nov. 1
Iowa Lands and Waters
Rachael Murtaugh, M.S., Director of Sustainability and Stewardship
Nov. 19
Addressing Consumerism: The Life-Cycle of Stuff
Kris Keuseman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry
Tracy Tunwall, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Business
Mount Mercy’s Fall Faculty Series is a community favorite, filling nearly every seat at each past event. Subjects covered in previous series include World War I, the Vietnam War, the U.S. as an immigrant nation, and democracy in a fractured age. All events are free and open to the public.
To learn more about the series and individual events, visit www.mtmercy.edu/fall-faculty-series.