Distinguished Lecture Series

supported by an MCCC Foundation designated fund

All lectures -- free and open to the public -- are at 12 noon in the CM Building on the West Windsor campus.
For additional information, call (609) 570-3324 or e-mail munnr@mccc.edu.

Spring 2020 Semester
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Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - room CM108

Pragmatism vs. Puritanism: Harm Reduction Policies Applied to Drug Use in The United States

Drug use in the United States has never been dealt with effectively, especially in regard to the loss of lives. Harm reduction policies put safety first, and leave out the moral posturing which has always hampered positive results. One of the key benefits of harm reduction is taking drug use out of the shadows, reducing the stigma and shame, which in many cases are more harmful than the drugs themselves. Professor of Sociology Michael Prohaska will discuss the basic theory and history of harm reduction, and how current policies directly contribute to the growth of drug subcultures and recidivism, through labeling and intolerance.

Recommended by: Professor Leonard Winogora, Department of Liberal Arts

Thursday, March 12, 2020 - room CM109

Human Trafficking

AVANZAR’s Dream Free Program engages individuals who have been confirmed or at risk for being exploited through human trafficking. Dream Free provides on scene, client centered, trauma-informed case management and crisis counseling to all victims statewide. Monica Kristen, a licensed social worker and Statewide Supervisor of the Dream Free Program, and Kim Murphy, a Hamilton resident who launched the Human Trafficking Ministry at Edinburg Road Chapel in 2017, will give a presentation on this topic.

Recommended by: Associate Professor Elizabeth Bondurant, Department of Criminal Justice

CANCELLED (re-schedule for Fall 2020 anticipated)
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - room CM110

Behind the Scenes of Animation, Disney, and Ren & Stimpy!

New Media Producer, Animator/Creator Frank Sasso will speak about his time at Disney during the productions of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast as well as the experience he had there. Also, he shares the secrets of working on The Ren & Stimpy Show and reveals his brand new series, The Legends of Valdoria!

Recommended by: Professor Tina LaPlaca, Department of Visual Arts

CANCELLED (re-schedule for Fall 2020 anticipated)
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - room CM109

Turban Myths

Mr. Amman Seehra, an attorney, is the Northeast regional director for the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). The FBI recently stated that hate crimes against minorities, including Sikhs, has significantly increased over the past few years. In response, SALDEF partnered with Stanford University’s Peace and Innovation Lab to conduct the first-ever national survey of the public perception of Sikh Americans and their articles of faith. The study entitled Turban Myths: The Opportunities and Challenges for Reframing Sikh American Identity in Post-9/11 America corroborates, through literary review and data analysis, the existence of a specific cultural bias and its impact on the real, daily lived experiences of the Sikh American community. This lecture focuses on what Sikhism is and how society has sculpted the perception of Sikh Americans in society today.

Recommended by: Professor Craig Coenen, Department of History