FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 20, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE LECTURE TO EXPLORE 'JUSTICE AND JOY: ETHICS AND LIVING WELL'

An interactive lecture on "Justice and Joy: Ethics and Living Well" will be presented Thursday, Oct. 27, at Drake University by Daniel Spencer, former Drake professor of religion and ethics, and Jennifer McCrickerd, Drake associate professor of philosophy. The lecture, which is free and open to the public as part of the J. William Paquette Lecture Series, will start at 7 p.m. in room 213 of Cartwright Hall, 27th Street and Carpenter Avenue.

Spencer joined the Drake faculty in 1993 and taught courses in religion and ethics at Drake for 10 years. He was named the Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1999-2000, the same year he served as president of the Faculty Senate. He was selected Outstanding Teacher of the Year in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1997-98. He now teaches environmental studies, liberal studies and philosophy at the University of Montana. Spencer, who was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1998, holds a bachelor's degree from Carleton College and a master's of divinity and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary.

McCrickerd also has received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the Honors Program Teacher of the Year Award. She chairs Drake's Department of Philosophy and Religion and teaches courses dealing with ethics, philosophy of science, feminist philosophy and the art of living. In addition, she has served as a consultant for various ethics committees regarding health care and is pursuing a master's degree in public health at the University of Iowa. She holds a bachelor's degree from Wellesley College and a master's degree and Ph.D. from Washington University.

The J. William Paquette Lecture Series was established in 2002 by the family of the late J. William Paquette, long-time director of career planning and placement at Drake.

In addition to the lecture, Spencer will give an informal talk at 11 a.m. Friday, October 28, in the Medbury Hall Lounge, 2730 Forest Avenue. This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the lecture and informal talk, call (515) 271-3751.

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