Conscientious Objectors in the Shenandoah Valley
(August 7-13)
When America began drafting soldiers for World War I, a legal right to abstain from fighting was encoded in law. But many conscientious objectors sent to work for the medical corps were beaten for their views. During World War II, pacifist churches like the Quakers and the Mennonites worked with the military to design a Civilian Public Service for those who chose not to fight. A documentary produced by WVPT Public Television tells the story of how many in the Shenandoah Valley help their country through public service instead of fighting. Philosopher Bill O’Meara (JMU) is the film’s director, and history professor Albert Keim (Eastern Mennonite University) is the assistant director.

“Doctor Can You Hear Me?” – Ethnicity in Health Care (August 14-20)

The face of America is changing. It’s estimated that one in four Americans is now classified as non-white and that percentage is expected to grow significantly in the next fifty years. Racial and ethnic differences can make a simple visit to the doctor a nightmare…often fraught with miscues, mistakes and miscommunication. Nursing professor Laurel Garzon (ODU) is heading up a teaching project to produce culturally competent nurse practitioners. Dr. Fern Hauck (UVA) left is treating refugee and immigrant families at a clinic she founded to meet their special needs.

The Lure of the Ocean/The Power of the Sea
(August 21-27)

Weather forecasters are predicting an especially active hurricane season this fall, but in 1962 it was a different kind of storm that wreaked havoc on the Virginia coast. Marine sciences professor John Boon (VIMS) says the Ash Wednesday Storm was a “northeaster” which marched up the Atlantic coast and stalled for three long, destructive days. Also featured: While she’s never encountered a northeaster, business professor Liz Young (CNU) has sailed through her share of big storms over the course of a lifetime in which she has cruised the Eastern seaboard and Great Lakes.

“Good Game, Ref!”
(August 28-September 3)
NFL referees often run more miles during a football game than the players themselves, and most of them are twice the age of the average player. Exercise & Sports professors Kathleen and John Poole (RU) right measured how hard NFL referees work during a game and discovered it’s a great way to lose weight!

Also featured: Head Team Physician Gunnar Brolinson (VT) left predicts an experimental football helmet will have implications far beyond the playing field.