51 F
Spokane
Monday, April 7, 2025
spot_img
HomeCommentaryWhitworth professor to discuss challenges in contemporary Africa

Whitworth professor to discuss challenges in contemporary Africa

Date:

spot_img

Related stories

Gaza’s tragedy is a call to action we cannot ignore

Gaza’s suffering demands urgent attention, writes the author. Read how she urges us to stand in solidarity and act immediately to end the injustice against Gazans and their land.

A frozen debit card melts my heart and teaches me kindness

A frozen debit card melts the author's heart replacing her irritation with compassion, teaching her kindness by seeing others as children of God.

‘Cremation of the Century’ celebrates Bali’s rich Hindu culture

The author recalls Bali's "cremation of the century" over 30 years ago he experienced, when Balinese honored their dead, along with a queen from an ancient Hindu kingdom.

A call to national unity: ‘Try to love one another. Right now.’

Classism and inequality are real, but the focus should be on national unity, not dividing by party. We need to work together to address economic struggles.

Multiple cultures clash over the future of the American dream

If the future of the American dream is to survive, her people need to reaquaint themselves with the culture of civility and honesty. Then, they need to clash against disinformation, social media influencers, and more.

Our Sponsors

spot_img

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, religious violence in Nigeria andthe indictment of four high — profile Kenyans for post — election violence will be the topic of the second lecture at Whitworth University's 55th annual Great Decisions Lecture Series on March 8.

Whitworth Assistant Professor of Political Science Megan Hershey will be the speaker. She specializes in African studies and won the Fulbright Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad fellowship, as well as the Carlton T. Hodge Prize in African Studies, for her work on Non-governmental organization addressing HIV/AIDS in Kenya. She is proficient in Swahili, completed her field research in Kenya and has spent time in Tanzania and Sierra Leone.

“I'm excited for Megan's first public presentation of her materials at Whitworth,” said Patrick Van Inwegen, Whitworth associate professor of political science and chair of the department. “Since she has lived and studied in Africa, Megan has an excellent perspective on the future of democracy on the continent.”

Hershey joined the Whitworth faculty in 2011. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University and her bachelor's degree from Ursinus College. Her areas of academic expertise include comparative politics, African politics, international development, politics of HIV/AIDS, NGOs and foreign aid. The Great Decisions Lecture Seriesfeatures five speakers who focus on current political, cultural and economic subjects of interest to the international community.

The public is invited to attend the lectures free of charge. Hershey's lecture, “Democratic Challenges and Change in Contemporary Africa,” will take place at 7:30 p.m.,Thursday, March 8, at in the Robinson Teaching Theatre in Weyerhaeuser Hall at Whitworth University.

Great Decisions 2012 is sponsored by the Whitworth Political Science Department. Additional lectures will take place on March 29, April 12 and April 26. For information on upcoming lectures call (509) 777-4937.

Tracy Simmons
Tracy Simmons
Tracy Simmons is an award-winning journalist specializing in religion reporting and digital entrepreneurship. In her approximate 20 years on the religion beat, Simmons has tucked a notepad in her pocket and found some of her favorite stories aboard cargo ships in New Jersey, on a police chase in Albuquerque, in dusty Texas church bell towers, on the streets of New York and in tent cities in Haiti. Simmons has worked as a multimedia journalist for newspapers across New Mexico, Texas, Connecticut and Washington. She is the executive director of FāVS.News, a digital journalism start-up covering religion news and commentary in Spokane, Washington. She also writes for The Spokesman-Review and national publications. She is a Scholarly Associate Professor of Journalism at Washington State University.

Our Sponsors

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img
spot_img
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest


0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
spot_img
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x