NEWPORT, R.I. - As part of the New Student Seminar, first-year students are currently discussing "Blessed Unrest," which tells the story of an emerging and growing organic movement by individuals and groups striving to make the world a better place. In conjunction with this reading, the Office of Academic Affairs and the First Year Experience will host a guest speaker and plenary sessions next week.

As world-renowned environmentalist and "Blessed Unrest" author Paul Hawken describes it, the organic movement is humanity's immune response to global crisis, as it focuses on issues of social justice, economical abuse, destruction of the environment and preservation of indigenous cultures.

Lenny Mendonca will respond to the themes of "Blessed Unrest" and discuss how they intersect with today's greatest social, economic and political challenges at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall. Mendonca is the director of the San Francisco office of McKinsey & Company, where he leads the firm's knowledge development and has helped to solve difficult management challenges for corporate, government and nonprofit clients around the world.

In addition to Mendonca's lecture, "Blessed Unrest" plenary sessions will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 in various campus locations. Faculty members have been asked to facilitate discussions by responding to the themes and issues discussed in "Blessed Unrest" from the perspectives of their academic disciplines.

All first-year students will attend a session of their choice, based on their intended major or academic interest. Presentations have been divided into the following areas:

Business and economics in O'Hare 260        

• Dr. Ronald Atkins, associate professor and coordinator of business administration and management
• Thomas Flanagan, associate professor of business administration and management
• Dr. Arlene Nicholas, assistant professor of business studies and economics

Sciences, health and environment in the Ochre Court state dining room      

• Dr. Tingting Cai, adjunct professor of biology and biological sciences
• Dr. Jameson Chace, assistant professor of biology and biomedical sciences
• Eileen Gray, instructor of nursing

Humanities and the arts in the DiStefano Lecture Hall

• Dr. Khalil Habib, assistant professor of philosophy
• Dr. Christiaan Jacobs-Vandegeer, assistant professor of religious studies
• Dr. Timothy Neary, assistant professor of history
• Gerald Perrino, associate professor of art
• Dr. Matthew Ramsey, assistant professor of English

Social sciences in O'Hare 228 and 229

• Dr. Soheyl Amini, assistant professor of sociology
• Dr. Deborah Curtis, assistant professor of sociology
• Dr. Arthur Frankel, professor of psychology
• Dr. Jim Garman, associate professor of cultural and historic preservation
• Dr. Chad Raymond, assistant professor of political science

Education and human services in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall

• Dr. Michael Brady, associate professor of administration of justice
• Dr. Montminy-Danna, associate professor of social work
• Dr. Martha Rose, professor of education

Students, faculty and staff are invited to Mendonca's presentation and the plenary sessions. Free copies of "Blessed Unrest" can be obtained by e-mailing Janice Rego at regoj@salve.edu. A limited supply has been ordered and books will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

For more information, contact Ducha Hang, First Year Experience coordinator, at Ext. 2383 or ducha.hang@salve.edu.

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