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California Gold Rush
05/25/2014
Mark Eifler

Presentation by Mark Eifler. Traditionally we think of the gold rush as being about unattached young men on a lark. In fact they were closely tied to family, and they struggled with the meaning of "success." We look at three young men whose letters reveal the California rush in a new light: one who was a stunning success, one who was a horrific failure, and one who never really understood if he had succeeded or failed. Together, the three stories tell us strike themes that still ring true today. Mark Eifler received his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley. He now teaches at the University of Portland.

Changing Racial Ecology Through the Arts
05/18/2014
Bonnie Ratner

This topic relates to “The August Wilson Red Door Project” and Bonnie Ratner is its Executive Director. The goal is to have people from diverse backgrounds and experiences live, work, play, and create together, with a view to everyone fulfilling their highest human potential. Ms. Ratner is a community development expert, writer, and educator with over twenty years’ experience assisting people in strategic planning, community building, and race equity work.

Development of Targeting Drugs
05/11/2014
Dr. Jeffrey Tyner

Dr. Jeffrey Tyner gives us a summary of efforts to apply gene-targeted therapies for cancer on an individualized basis. This touches on the basic biology of cancer as well as the technological revolution that is unfolding in the realm of DNA sequencing. Tyner is Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at OHSU. His research focuses on identifying cancer-causing genes and on patient-tailored, gene-targeted, therapies.

 

Beyond Standing Up To Discrimination Against Atheists
05/04/2014
Doug Matheson

Presentation by Doug Matheson. Until recently, “coming out of the atheist closet” was viewed as tough and optional.  Recently some humanists have spoken out against anti-atheist bias and discrimination. Our central focus is on getting beyond that. We consider our global circumstances, alongside the intrinsic risks of faith. We explore engaging our fellow citizens who remain in the communities of faith. Doug was brought up as a Christian. But an inquiring mind, and the conviction that there should be a match between what we believe and what the best evidence says, couldn’t let him stay there. He has published a book titled "Actually Thinking vs. Just Believing."

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