44th annual Frank Church Symposium set Feb. 26-27 at Idaho State University; theme is ‘Cross Cultural Expression in a Transforming World’

Idaho State University’s International Affairs Council (IAC), housed in the College of Arts and Letters, will host the 44th annual Frank Church Symposium on Feb. 26 and 27.

The theme for this year’s symposium is “Cross Cultural Expression in a Transforming World.”

The event is held annually in honor of Idaho Sen. Frank Church, chair of the U.S. Committee on Foreign Relations during the Vietnam War.

Charles “Charley” Metcalf, ISU alumnus, will present the keynote address. Metcalf will speak on “Cross Cultural Expression from a National Security Communication Perspective” on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Stephens Performing Arts Center.

Metcalf graduated from ISU in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He also graduated from ISU with a master’s degree in education in 1970. In 1971 Metcalf began a 38-year career in the U.S. government, serving as a U.S. Army officer as well as a civilian and contract employee of the Department of Defense. A Vietnam War veteran who survived the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, he has traveled extensively in the United States and abroad.

“I’m honored and humbled by having this opportunity to speak,” Metcalf said. “I see myself as an average, ordinary man who has had some interesting and unique experiences.”

Metcalf’s lifelong interest in national security was sparked by campaigning and working for Sen. Church. Now retired from his career in government service, Metcalf currently attends George Mason University where he hopes to earn his Ph.D. in communication and become a research faculty member.

The symposium’s main panels will be held in the Pond Student Union Salmon River Suites on Pocatello’s campus on Feb. 26-27. All events are free and open to the public.

The symposium is organized and planned entirely by students in the IAC, who gain practical experience to use when finishing their degree.

The events run from 8:15 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the keynote address at 7 p.m. on Feb. 26; and 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 27.

For more information on the symposium and it’s speakers and panel members visit https://sites.google.com/a/isu.edu/isuiac/, email iac@isu.edu or call 282-3043.

The symposium schedule follows. All panels will be held in the Salmon River Suites on the 3rd floor of the Pond Student Union Building.

Thursday February 26, 2015

9:30 a.m. – Joseph Hearst Memorial Lecture
9:45-11:15 a.m. – Panel 1: Music, Dance and Visual Expression
1-2:15 p.m. – Panel 2: Sports and Health
2:30-4 p.m. – Panel 3: Nature and Family
6:30- 7 p.m. – Meet and Greet (Pre-reception to Keynote) in Frazier Hall Auditorium
7-8 p.m. – Keynote Address: “Cross Cultural Expression from a National Security Communication Perspective” by Charles Metcalf in Frazier Hall Auditorium

Friday February 27, 2015

8:30-9:30 a.m. – Richard H. Foster Lecture
9:45-11:15 a.m. – Panel 4: Cultural Interaction, Immigration and Settlement
1-2:15 p.m. – Panel 5: Language and Cultural Diversity
2:30-4:00 p.m. – Round Table