2008 Earth Day Celebration Events

Tuesday, April 22
Earth Day Celebration Lecture

Wednesday, April 23
Second Annual Responsible
Social Engagement Awards

Sponsored by Seminarians for Social Justice
at Claremont School of Theology

Tuesday April 22
Earth Day Celebration Lecture
"Living As If The Future Matters"
with updated presentation of "An Inconvenient Truth"
7:30 p.m. | Mudd Theater

• Dr. Lisa Shaffer, Executive Director of U.C. San Diego's Environment and Sustainability Initiative
• Alec Loorz, 13-year old founder of Kids-vs-Global-Warming.com Wednesday

In December 2006, Dr. Lisa Shaffer was in the one of the earliest groups selected by Al Gore to participate in a three day training program be a part of the Climate Change Project and give the Inconvenient Truth presentation to community groups. She holds the Ph.D. in political science and public policy from George Washington University and has worked for NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Scripps Institution in San Diego.

Alec Loorz, a 13-year old eighth-grader from Ventura (Calif.) Charter School of Arts and Global Education, was first inspired to environmental advocacy after seeing Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary. His response was to establish "Kids-vs-Global-Warming.com." Loorz will describe the view from his perspective and tell us how anyone, at any age, can help stop global warming. Children are welcome!

Wednesday, April 23
Second Annual Responsible Social Engagement Awards
Eco-Vespers 5:30 p.m. | Awards 6- 7 p.m.
Kresge Chapel | Claremont School of Theology

This year's Responsible Social Engagement Awards are honoring:

• Dean Freudenberger, former professor of international development and missions at the Claremont School of Theology
• Graduating CST students who show exceptional commitment to practices of social justice

Dr. C. Dean Freudenberger was professor of international development and missions at Claremont School of Theology for nearly 20 years. He is widely known for his scholarship, teaching, and advocacy on issues of faith and sustainable environmental practices.

He holds degrees from California State Polytechnic University, San Louis Obispo, (B.A. 1952) and Boston University (Ph.D. 1969). He his author of many publications, including Global Dust Bowl: Can WE Stop the Destruction of the Land before It's Too Late? (1990), Food for Tomorrow? (1984), and Christian Responsibility in a Hungry World (with Paul Minus, 1976).

Ordained in The United Methodist Church in 1955, Freudenberger served with the denomination for 17 years in agricultural and rural community development across six continents. He served as Agricultural Programs Secretary for the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, and he consulted with U.S. Peace Corps programs in agricultural development in West Africa.