In Brief

by Cara Gardner
Leadership Lectures -- SPOKANE -- Gonzaga University's School of Professional Studies is hosting a two-day conference on global leadership called "Leadership, Forgiveness and Social Justice: Healing the Heart of the World," beginning Tuesday, Sept. 9.


"I think part of why this is happening right now is because there is so much armed conflict in the world, and this conference is about how leaders could lead us into peace and true social justice instead," says Theresa Power-Drutis, the conference organizer and graduate assistant for Gonzaga's doctoral program in Leadership Studies. Ginn Fourie, whose daughter was murdered by the Azanian Peoples Liberation Army in South Africa 10 years ago, will give the keynote lecture.


"The leadership program has been interested in becoming more global," says Power-Drutis. The program has several partnerships with South Africa, and Power-Drutis says that peace efforts there are good examples.


During the conference, doctoral candidates and experts will give talks on "Leadership, Forgiveness and Social Justice" and "Leadership, Globalization and the Ethic of Care." The speakers, joined by a representative from South Africa's University of Pretoria will participate in a panel discussion at the end of the conference.





The conference is in the Barbieri Courtroom at the GU School of Law and is free and open to the public. "Leadership, Forgiveness and Social Justice" is on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 4 pm, with the keynote lecture at 7 pm; "Leadership, Globalization and the Ethic of Care" is on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 pm, with the panel discussion at 7 pm. Call: 448-1128





River Needs a Bath -- SPOKANE -- The Department of Ecology recently mailed an alarming notice to residents in Spokane. It warned people who have frequent contact with shoreline soils along the Spokane River from State Line to Plantes Ferry Park -- particularly children -- of possible contamination due to lead and arsenic exposure. The notice advises people to avoid the muddy soil along those areas and to wash hands, feet and clothing that come into contact with it. Ecology also advises people not to breathe dust and loose soil from the same stretch of shoreline.


"We don't have any reports of anyone being sick, but we think parents should know that there are areas where you'd need to watch your kids extra carefully," says Jani Gilbert, public relations officer with Ecology.


Ecology is working on a study to determine how much polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination exists in the sediment behind Upriver Dam. The study will be completed in 2004. PCBs are often used in electrical equipment and inks as well as various other products. PCBs have not been manufactured in the United States since 1977, after evidence that PCB buildup causes human health problems, but legally they can still be used.


"What we're doing is gearing up to clean some hot spots along the beach and behind the dam where the sediments build up," Gilbert says.


In addition, Ecology and the Department of Health have issued warnings asking people not to eat fish from the Spokane River. Representatives from Ecology say that swimming in the river is safe, but that eating fish caught from certain locations in the river could be harmful. They advise a catch-and-release policy.





Upward Bound -- PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State University is the recipient of three Upward Bound grants totaling more than $3 million. The money will provide educational services to school districts serving low-income and first-generation college youth. WSU's Pullman campus, WSU Spokane and WSU Tri-Cities will each receive about $1 million, spread over five years. The campuses will use the money to help school districts in their regions.


"I'm very excited about this program," said Joan Menzies, WSU Spokane director of student services. "[It] provide[s] the young people... with educational services to enhance their opportunities for postsecondary education."


The grants will allow 150 participants to improve in areas such as English and literature, math, laboratory sciences, social sciences and foreign language. Career exploration, field trips, workshops and visits to the college campuses will also be included. WSU staff will also work with local high school teachers, offering after-school and Saturday programs for the participants. The grants will benefit about 150 students each year.





Publication date: 09/04/03