April

Historical examples of demographic change, in China, Italy, Nigeria, Utah, Easter Island, and elsewhere, together with simple mathematics and biological principles, show that stabilizing world population before it is limited by food supply will be more difficult than is generally appreciated.  United Nations population projections are wrong because they assume, in spite of the absence of necessary feedbacks, that all nations will converge rapidly to replacement-level fertility and thereafter remain at that level.  Producing more than two offspring is normal for all animal species with stable populations, because their populations are limited by resources or predation rather than birth control.  It may therefore be appropriate to view the growth of human population as the result, not of excess fertility, but rather of excess food.

Professor Stephen Warren received his Ph.D. at Harvard University in 1973. He has been at the University of Washington since 1982, where he is now Emeritus Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Earth & Space Sciences. His research interest is the interaction of solar radiation with snow, clouds, and sea ice, and their role in climate. He has carried out fieldwork in the Southern Ocean, the East Antarctic Plateau, Greenland, Svalbard, Canada, Siberia, and China, with Australian, Russian, French, Danish, Norwegian, Chinese, and U.S. expeditions. 

Six ICL members will share some of their favorite music selections with us. This popular session will feature:

       Ann Shaffer (A)    Kasia Quillinan (B) 

Marion Dearman (C)                                        BREAK

       Peter Ronai (D)        Sally Schriver (E)        

(A) Ann Schaffer's contribution: "Skinnamarink: Children's Music for All Ages"
(B) Kasia Quillinan's contribution: "Tuvan Throat Singing"
(C) Marion Dearman's contribution: "Music of the Depression Era"

BREAK

(D) Peter Ronai's contribution: "Music to Migrate By"
(E) Sally Schriver's contribution: "Jersey Boys"

It is time for communities and educators to expand their current efforts and develop community-based programs that will build civic engagement in our community. The idea of taking a village to raise a child is often missing from our public education system. A more concerted effort is needed to involve the young citizens of our community in whose hands we leave the future of our world.

Jon Yoder was a Biology teacher at North Salem High School for many years, ending his formal education career as the Science Specialist and then the STEM Specialist for the Salem-Keizer School District. He was involved in coordinating the Mill Creek project, a restoration and educational project along Mill Creek, and led the efforts to build the Straub Environmental Learning Center. Jon has been involved with numerous local and state groups and initiatives around environmental education.

Mindfulness is the quality of being aware of what is happening while it is happening, without judgment. See for yourself its beneficial, wholesome impact on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Did you know that practicing mindfulness improves both mental and physical health? Mindful Healing includes: Awareness of the present moment; Learning how to rewire your brain for happiness and health; Developing mindfulness strategies for coping with stress and enhancing well-being.

Jerry Braza, PhD is an author and professor emeritus at Western Oregon University. He writes on his website, The Seeds of Love,  "As a mentor and ordained dharma teacher in the lineage of Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Professor Emeritus at Western Oregon University, I offer years of experience conducting retreats, seminars, workshops and classes on mindfulness and relationships in a variety of spiritual and secular venues. I look forward to working with you to discover mindful pathways to happiness, love and joy."

For over 35 years he has been a leading voice in the field of health, psychology and mindfulness. A Professor Emeritus (Western Oregon University), Jerry is frequently asked to lead seminars, trainings, workshops and retreats on engaged mindfulness, health and wellness. He is the author of two successful books on mindfulness. The Seeds of Love: Growing Mindful Relationships, focuses on applying mindfulness to deepen the depth and quality of relationships. His book Moment by Moment: The Art and Practice of Mindfulness, published in six languages, offers a beginner’s guide to learning the practice. He brings a wealth of practical experience from working with thousands of students and leading hundreds of groups interested in supporting health and wellness through applied mindfulness practices. His experience includes work in hospitals, mental and behavioral health groups, and non-profit organizations.

Agricultural Tour
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Cost:  $25 per person

We will be visiting two agricultural sites.  The first is Monrovia, a very large commercial nursery growing trees and shrubs that end up for sale at local garden centers.  They plan to discuss their processes for water use, planting, fertilizing, and pest reduction.  The second is Minto Island Farms, a small family run Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm growing organic produce and tea.  A CSA farm is driven by people who become members (fee) and receive a weekly share of produce in season.  They plan to discuss their methods of organic farming.  The tour will cover the CSA, but will focus on the tea farm - certified organic, handpicked, and small-batch crafted.  It is "one of the only farm-scale tea plots in the country."  Lunch will be at Kwan's Cuisine.

We meet at Willamette Heritage parking lot at 9:15AM, with the bus leaving promptly at 9:30AM, and we return around 4PM.

The field trip will be outside for part of the day, and may be muddy or wet in spots. Please dress accordingly.

"The Knight in the Panther Skin" is the National Poem of Georgia. Written in the 12th century, it is an adventure story that entranced our presentor so much, she prepared a new translation, although she does not speak or write Georgian. For this work, she received the highest award for poetry from the Georgian government. Lyn Coffin is an American poet, fiction writer, playwright, translator, non-fiction writer, and editor who lives in Seattle.

Lyn Coffin’s nineteen published books include Human Trappings (Abattoir Editions), The Poetry of Wickedness (Ithaca House), Crystals of the Unforeseen (Plainview Press), and Joseph Brodsky was Joseph Brodsky, published last year by Levan Kavleli Publishing in Tbilisi, Georgia, as part of their Mosaic of World Poetry. Books of translations include the Anthology of Georgian Poetry, forthcoming this summer by Slavica (University of Indiana), edited by Dodona Kiziria, White Picture (Night Publishing), selected poems by Jiri Orten translated from the Czech. Her book-length manuscript of the poetry of Dato Barbakadze, translated by herself and Nato Alhazishvili, was recently published by Bedouin Books. This book won a $2000 translation award from the Georgian government. She has finished her metrical and rhymed translation of Rustaveli’s epic, The Knight in the Panther Skin. Her story Falling off a Scaffold was in Best American Short Stories 1979, edited by Joyce Carol Oates. She holds an honorary doctorate from the World Academy of Arts and Culture (UNICEF) for “poetic excellence and her efforts on behalf of world peace.”

"Coffin may be the most accomplished writer most Americans have never heard of." -Iron Twine Press

To honor Phil Hanni, a long time chaplain at WU and an active member of ICL, we take great pleasure presenting this award each year to the six top student scholars as judged by a panel of Willamette faculty and ICL members. 

Abstract: Laser ablation is the precise removal of small amounts of material using an intense, pulsed laser beam. Very precise control of the movement of the beam allows the surface structure of the material to be changed on the scale of micrometers. This process, known as micromachining, can cause changes in the surface properties of the material. For example, micromachining can be used to make metals repel water. In this research, we use a picosecond pulsed laser to perform ablation on brass samples. We have conducted various experiments to see how we can make our ablation as precise as possible, with the ultimate goal of micromachining brass.

Bio: (Majors: Physics and French, Graduating in 2017)
Apart from my two majors, I have greatly enjoyed taking advanced classes in computer science as well as women's & gender studies, both of which have had a major impact on my educational career. I also sing in two Willamette choirs and an a cappella group, so music has been a big part of my Willamette experience. I like to think of myself as a student who has taken full advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of liberal arts education.

Abstract: The rapid rate of climate change and urbanization poses a major threat to a variety of plant species by changing baseline environmental conditions or fragmenting habitat. Often these rates of change exceed the ability of plant species to migrate to more hospitable environments. Traditional conservation work has focused on human cultivation and replanting of such threatened plant species. This research explores the potential for using a natural dispersal agent, the California Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma californica) to restore Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) populations in the Willamette Valley. Wild birds are prolific seed dispersers, and corvids (including jays) have been observed dispersing thousands of seeds in a single season. Using field observations of Scrub Jays at Zena Forest, including territory mapping and a jay-acorn dispersal experiment, I developed a model simulating the likely dispersion of acorns by jays. The results of my model will inform oak savanna restoration efforts at Zena Forest and throughout the Willamette Valley by identifying where to place piles of acorns so that jays may most effectively disperse them.

Bio: (Major: Environmental Science, Graduating in 2017)
I am a senior now, about to graduate from Willamette University with a degree in Environmental Science. I had an affection for the outdoors as a child, but it was not until my junior year in high school when I took my first environmental science class, that I really began my journey to where I am now. Since then I have developed a real passion for the outdoors, and whatever it is I am doing outside, whether backpacking, rock climbing or simply strolling through the woods, I find myself quite at ease, which is in part why I have decided to pursue a career path in restoration ecology.

Monday, August 21, 2017, a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible in the continental United States for the first time in many decades. The 50-mile diameter shadow that the moon casts will first touch land near Depot Bay on the coast, race through the middle of Oregon, continue on to the central states and pass the east coast an hour and a half after entering Oregon. What is special about this eclipse is that the eastward moving shadow will pass directly over Salem. For a dozen seconds before the sun is fully covered, an eeriness will creep in as we watch blue sky rapidly darken and strange “shadow bands” race across the ground. Then, for almost two full minutes, daylight turns to night, with stars popping out across the sky. In the past such awesome apparitions caused our earliest ancestors to imagine that terrifying dragons were at work or that the sudden disappearance of the sun signaled displeasure of the gods and was an omen of bad things to come. Amateur astronomer, Nick Liepins, has been waiting for this event for 40 years. Nick will explain what exactly causes this phenomenon, what to expect and how to safely observe this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Nick Liepins is retired and is therefore able to pursue his passion as a full time astronomer. His professional career included 30 years at Willamette University where he taught Computer Science and was the first programmer and administrator in their computer center. He received a Master of Science degree in mathematics at Oregon State in 1968 specializing in Imaginary Number Theory and Turing Machine Theory. He has been an active amateur astronomer since his high school days when he built his first observatory.

There is mounting evidence that lifestyle factors, including staying mentally active, can delay memory problems. Dr. Winningham will discuss recent research related to the "use it or lose it" theory of memory and aging. He will share a number of cognitive stimulation interventions that can be used to exercise targeted regions of the brain. He will also show how iPads can be used to maximize brain health. Then he will discuss the very latest research on the effects of physical exercise, nutrition, and social support on the likelihood of developing memory problems. The take-home message is optimistic and motivating: There are many practical things that all of us can do to maximize our memory abilities.

Rob Winningham, PhD, has over 20 years of experience working on applied memory issues. He creates brain stimulation activities for thousands of communities and rehabilitation facilities as a part of Dr. Rob’s Cranium Crunches on activityconnection.com and helps create cognitive stimulation video games for linkedsenior.com. Dr. Winningham is a full Professor and Past-Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Division at Western Oregon University.

Dr. Winningham has provided a PDF file of his presentation, and would like ICL members to have access to it before his presentation. It is a large file (7MB) so it will take a while to download, even with a broadband connection.

As Saudi Arabia struggles to adjust to the drastic decline in oil revenue, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman attempts to boldly transform the country and shift more power to the younger generation.  At the same time, many countries such as the U.S. point out the lack of democracy, women's rights and human rights in Saudi Arabia, and blame its promotion of Wahhabism, an extremely conservative version of Islam, for creating jihadists.  Bipartisan criticism of Saudi Arabia is rising in Congress.  Both countries need each other, but they are at a crossroads in bilateral relations.

David Engen and others will be leading the discussion of this topic.

To honor Phil Hanni, a long time chaplain at WU and an active member of ICL, we take great pleasure presenting this award each year to the six top student scholars as judged by a panel of Willamette faculty and ICL members.

Abstract: In 2011, the Obama Administration State Department announced that the United States would be shifting its military and diplomatic goals to the Asia-Pacific region. With half of the world’s population in this region, and regional dynamics shifting faster than the United States could keep up, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote America’s Pacific Century in Foreign Policy, emphasizing the need to ‘pivot’ towards Asia. Given the post-recession economic outlook, and geopolitical conflict that has caused the U.S. to turn towards different regions, Clinton claimed that it was crucial to the global order for the U.S. to follow a rebalancing strategy to maintain peace and security in the Asia-Pacific. Many events have played out since this announcement, from rising tensions in the South China Sea, to Japan's expressing interest in altering the part of their constitution that limits them to a defense-only military, to increasing nuclear aggression by North Korea. We see that increased U.S. involvement in all of these instances has drawn increased support and criticism.

The "Pivot to Asia" was a term coined after the publication of America’s Pacific Century, which is explicitly exemplified through six goals stated by Hillary Clinton: “strengthening bilateral security alliances; deepening America's relationships with rising powers, including China; engaging with regional multilateral institutions; expanding trade and investment; forging a broad-based military presence; and advancing democracy and human rights.” I explore how all of these goals have either failed or worsened since 2011, with the criteria for failure being whether or not actions taken have even marginally improved the United States’ military or diplomatic aims in the Asia-Pacific.

Bio: (Majors: International Studies, Economics, Minors: Chinese, Politics, Graduating in 2017)
As an International Studies and Economics double major, minoring in Chinese and Politics, I have had a diverse academic journey at Willamette. I had a passion for what I was studying, which I was proud of, and I had wanted that passion to carry over into my achievements and career goals. As I finish my Willamette journey, I feel I have fulfilled my goals. Last year, I presented a paper on Asian economic regionalism exhibited through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a week after the Tufts University Undergraduate Journal of International Affairs notified me that they would like to publish my paper. Although I thought it was my greatest achievement at Willamette, it was followed with a job offer from the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation. I had interned for HSBC over the past summer as a sales and trading analyst, sitting on the emerging markets desk. I was able to engage on a real-world level with the topics I have been interested in for years, trading the securities and government debt of emerging economies and applying the knowledge I had acquired to my career. My interests center on learning, analyzing and discussing issues related to international affairs and geopolitics, specifically in Asia. I hope to continue my studies at the graduate level after working a few years, and eventually work in the public sector.

Last year, ICL members joked with me by calling me "future Secretary of State." I'm hoping that one day, that won't seem like a joke.

Abstract: As an interdisciplinary team, we asked: How do scientists engage audiences with their research? Is there a better way? To fully examine these questions, we conducted a research experiment to investigate how the exposure to artificial light at night may alter the drift behavior of mayflies from urban (light) and natural (dark) streams. We challenged ourselves to abandon the conventional scientific paper and develop projects that communicate these results to a larger audience. Both the science and communication presented many obstacles as we embraced our artistic nature, while adhering to the scientific method. We determined from our project that mastering the scientific language allows for efficient communication and advancement within the research community. However, there is a larger community that is often left out of these discussions. Bridging the gap in communication between scientists and the public is essential, particularly in regards to our environment and ecosystems. I will share what we learned about mayfly drift and our new insight on engaging with the non-science world. My presentation will conclude with my current project: Science Storytelling in Salem and explain how this event appeals to a wider audience and expands the definition of a "scientist." 

Bio: (Major: Biology, Graduating in 2017)
I am a Senior at Willamette University and will be graduating this May with a degree in Biology. I am originally from a tiny town on the other side of Oregon, right along the Idaho border. I am very passionate about education and feel very proud to be the first person in my family about to receive a four-year degree. Since attending Willamette, I have challenged myself not only mentally, but physically by joining the WU Women’s Rugby Club. I discovered a love for challenging sports and recently started taking Jiujitsu classes in Salem. I also love helping out other students like me and have worked for the Office of Admission for the past three years. As my time at Willamette comes to an end, I find myself applying for jobs and programs in the fields of Agroforestry and Conservation. I plan to continue my education in these areas, while following my passion in science communication. 

Members of the ICL Writing Group, led by ICL member Lois Rosen, will offer a fragrant blend of their stories and poems. You’re most cordially invited to enjoy the mix of vivid, lively, wise writing of the members of the group, including the following ICL authors:

To honor Phil Hanni, a long time chaplain at WU and an active member of ICL, we take great pleasure presenting this award each year to the six top student scholars as judged by a panel of Willamette faculty and ICL members.

 Abstract: Over the course of the semester, I have been conducting ethnographic fieldwork with the diversion programs in Marion County geared toward keeping mentally ill individuals out of the criminal justice system. Riding-along with the Crisis Outreach Response Team (CORT), engaging with the jail mental health team, learning about the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), and spending time with mental health professionals who work to connect their clients to resources at the Psychiatric Crisis Center, I have been given the opportunity to explore firsthand the diversion programs in Marion County. I aim to share my experiences and my findings regarding why these programs have been lauded as some of the most progressive in the state. A subsequent discussion of the successes and the obstacles that these relatively new teams have encountered is to follow.

Bio: (Majors: Anthropology, Biology, Graduating in 2017)
Currently, I am a senior biology and anthropology major, a student-athlete, and a William B. Webber scholar here at Willamette. As one might expect from my academic pursuits, I am very interested in studying life and the nuances associated with life. I hope to one day work in a field, potentially public health or medicine, in which I can incorporate physical science and culture to assist others in navigating the human experience. 

Abstract: The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare or the ACA, of 2010 aimed to provide affordable care to all Americans. The ACA included several provisions to achieve this goal and to solve issues of the American healthcare system. One issue that the ACA aimed to improve was emergency department overcrowding. The purpose of this paper is to research whether or not the ACA improved emergency department overcrowding by focusing on three main provisions: the Medicaid Expansion, the Primary Care provisions, and the Dependent Coverage Expansions. This paper also investigates underlying causes and solutions to decrease emergency department overcrowding in the United States.

Bio: (Major Exercise Science, Graduating in 2017)
I am from Davis, California and I transferred to Willamette from Dominican University my junior year. I could not be happier with my decision and experience at Willamette. After graduation, I plan to attend grad. school for a Masters degree in education. My whole life I have worked with youth, ranging from working at, and eventually directing, a summer camp back home and working for the past few years as a classroom aide for students with disabilities. I also have a strong passion for science and healthcare, which is why I chose to be a exercise science major. I hope to pursue a career that combines my interests in education and science.

ICL is made up of a very interesting group of folks with fascinating backgrounds. In this session which has become an ICL tradition, we will get to know a few of them a little better, as we ask them to share an interesting story from their family, their work experience, or world experience. 

Today we will hear stories from six ICL Members:

Kathleen McKiernan (2017)	Mike & Meredith Gilbert (2013)

Chris Duval (2016)	Colleen & Dominick Spedale (2015)