Bridges Academy Lectures Series
Education is central to the University of San Diego's mission, and our commitment to education travels beyond campus borders. The Bridges Academy is a lectureship series which aims to quite literally “bridge” the gap between the retired community of San Diego and USD through educational opportunities. Because a sense of community is such an integral part of education here at USD, the Bridges Academy is designed to foster relationships with those outside the campus and raise awareness of university events.It is the vitality of our host communities, united with the academic and cultural power of USD that results in extraordinary, mutually beneficial relationships. These relationships help to enrich lives both here at USD and in the community. Because we believe educational development is the key to cultivating such relationships, we cordially invite you to join our lectureship series and experience the wonder and growth education provides. These exciting and valuable lectures are given by leading professors, alumni and students and take place on USD’s picturesque campus.
The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a program fostering life-long learning for those 55 years and older. U3A is a three-week program providing interesting speakers and workshops, and is offered by the Division of Continuing Education at USD, in January and July of each year.
For more information, please visit the University of Third Age Web pages.
Looking at San Diego's Past: Local Archeology
Presented by Tim Gross, adjunct instructor, Department of Anthropology
Thursday, February 18, 11-12:30 p.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Take this unique opportunity to learn about San Diego’s rich, and sometimes controversial, history as well as an overview of what archaeologists have learned about the prehistoric inhabitants of the San Diego area.
About the Speaker
Tim Gross, Ph.D., has participated in archaeological projects in the Siwa Oasis region of northwestern Egypt, Colorado, Washington state, and Arizona, as well as southern and central California. Gross served as managing editor for the Dolores Archaeological Program technical report series, including thirteen volumes published by the Bureau of Reclamation, on this important archaeological project in southwest Colorado.
Gross is an archaeological consultant with Affinis in El Cajon, and sometimes teaches as well. He is a past president of the board of the San Diego Archaeological Center and has a deep interest in curation issues. He was also involved in planning and fund-raising for USD's American Indian Celebration.
The Long Road Back to Normal: Economic Outlook for 2010-11
Presented by Ryan Ratcliff, assistant professor, Department of Economics
Wednesday, March 3, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Will the green shoots of recovery thrive, or will we see a double-dip recession? What will it take to get the housing market healthy? Will the Sacramento budget debacle hinder California’s recovery? How will San Diego fare?
About the Speaker
Ryan Ratcliff joined the faculty of the University of San Diego in 2008 as an assistant professor specializing in forecasting and macroeconomics. His research interests include the formation and updating of macroeconomic expectations, linkages between financial markets and the macroeconomy, state and regional economic forecasting, and the macroeconomic impact of housing cycles.
Prior to coming to USD, Ratcliff spent three years at the renowned UCLA Anderson Forecast, where he was the primary author of the quarterly forecast for California, as well as numerous other reports on local economic forecasts and regional housing markets. He is widely quoted in the national and local press as an expert on the California economy and local housing markets, and is a sought-after speaker for briefing local business leaders on recent economic developments.
Free-Drifting Icebergs: Effects on Antarctic Ecosystems
Presented by Ron Kaufmann, associate professor, Department of Marine Science and Environmental Studies
Thursday, March 11, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Professor Kaufmann is part of a research group that has been carrying out the first-ever study of how free-drifting Antarctic icebergs affect marine ecosystems. Learn how the recent increase in icebergs is influencing life in the Southern Ocean.
About the Speaker
Ron Kaufmann, Ph.D., joined the USD faculty in 1997 and currently serves as director of the Marine Science Graduate Program. His areas of specialization are ecology and environmental biology, and his teaching includes courses in biology, environmental studies and marine science, as well as interdisciplinary courses that are team-taught with colleagues in the humanities.
Kaufmann’s scholarship focuses on biological communities and their dynamics as well as their responses to changing environmental conditions. He has studied marine communities in extreme environments such as the Antarctic and the deep ocean.
Speaking Power to Truth
Presented by Dustin Sharp, senior program office, Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Wednesday, March 17, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Dustin Sharp as he seeks to outline the toolbox of techniques that have been developed to press human rights abusing governments for accountability and change. Don’t miss this incredible speaker!
About the Speaker
Dustin Sharp, J.D., is a Senior Program Officer at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) and leads the West African Human Rights Training Initiative, a capacity-building program focusing on local human rights organizations in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. He also serves as a Lecturer in Human Rights at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies where he teaches graduate classes in transitional justice and human rights advocacy.
Sharp comes to the University of San Diego with a background in human rights and international law and has five years of field experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, working on issues related to human rights, transitional justice and educational development. He has a number of publications on human rights in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been a regular media commentator on Radio France International, the BBC and Voice of America regarding conflict dynamics in the region.
Nuclear Energy: The New Green Hope?
Presented by Randy Willoughby, professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations
Wednesday, March 24, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Join Professor Willoughby as he discusses the environmental and political issues surrounding nuclear energy and nuclear waste, and what’s being done to address them. What are the ethical and moral issues involved in harnessing nuclear energy?
About the Speaker
Randy Willoughby, Ph.D, has been on the USD faculty since 1988 and teaches course on comparative politics and international security. His undergraduate education began at the University of California at Irvine and concluded at UCLA. His graduate education was at the University of California at Berkeley, preceded by a year of study in Paris, and including a year working in the Executive Office of the President in Washington DC, a year teaching at the University of Santa Clara, and two years participating on a research project at the University of California at San Diego.
Fiscal Fitness: Top Ten Financial Planning Issues
Presented by Jon Beyrer, vice president of wealth management, Blankinship & Foster, LLC
Thursday, April 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
John Beyrer, President Elect of the Financial Planning Association of San Diego, will cover tips and strategies for smart financial planning. This will be an informal workshop so bring your questions
About the Speaker
Beyrer joined Blankinship & Foster, LLC in 2003. In addition to managing client portfolios, he serves as the firm's Chief Compliance Officer. Previously, he worked with an accounting and consulting firm in San Diego. While there, he provided comprehensive financial planning and investment portfolio management advice to high net worth individuals and business owners. Prior to that, Beyrer worked with a mortgage banking firm.
Beyrer is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and serves on the Board of Directors for FPA San Diego. He is also a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the La Jolla Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section.
Ethics at the Frontiers of Science
Presented by Lawrence Hinman, professor, Department of Philosophy
Wednesday, April 28, 10-11:30 a.m.
DEGHERI ALUMNI CENTER, ROOM 120
Join Professor Hinman as he discusses ethical issues raised by new developments in science and technology. Areas to be discussedinclude: neuroscience, robotics, stem cells, cloning, and genetics. Don’t miss out on this thought-provoking presentation!
About the Speaker
Lawrence M. Hinman (Loyola University of Chicago, 1975) is professor of philosophy, Director of the USD Values Institute, and Co-director of the Center for Ethics in Science & Technology. His main areas of interest are ethical theory and ethical issues arising from recent developments in science and technology, especially in stem cell research, neuroscience, and computing and information technology. He regularly teaches Ethical Theory and Social Ethics. In addition, he teaches courses on computer ethics and on ethical issues at the frontiers of science. He is currently writing on an anthology on ethical issues in stem cell research.
