Wrongful Convictions. Human Trafficking. Genocide in Darfur. Local and World Hunger.
These are all critical issues that require more of our time, energy and skills. The Bonner Center aims to spark more debate and action around important public issues each year. As a result, students and staff create opportunities for compelling speakers to visit campus and share their message to the community.
In 2010, 700 individuals packed Kendall Hall to hear Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson tell their story of a wrongful conviction, forgiveness and hope. The authors of the best-selling Picking Cotton helped everyone understand the causes of wrongful convictions-with the help of Professor Lynn Goedecke-and they inspired everyone to overcome obstacles to make positive changes in the world.
Also in 2010, Minh Dang spoke to a full Mayo Hall audience about her personal story as a sex slave; sold into a horrendous experience by her own parents while living in the United States. A graduate of the University of California at Berkely and a leader of the Bonner Program at that institution, Minh helped the audience understand that human trafficking is not only an international problem; but one that can be found in our own backyards.
These forums were both part of the Center’s new Community Engaged Learning Speaker Series.
Recent Critical Issue Forums
Community Solutions Forum: Prisoner Education – Challenges and Responses – February 21, 2012
On February 21st, community members and students attended a forum discussion on prisoner education in the state of New Jersey. Student presentations on the scope of the problem the discussion, including the fact that the average reading comprehension for individuals in prison is at a 6th-grade level and the average math skills are at a 5th-grade level, kicked off the discussion. Pat Donohue, Director of the Bonner Center then led the roundtable-like discussion on current policy in New Jersey and the challenges faced by the various agencies that provide educational services to inmates.
The Bonner Center was incredibly pleased to have a wonderful group of panelists that shared a wealth of information regarding the topic. Jecrois Jean-Baptiste, Director of the Office of Educational Services and Alfred Kandell, Administrator of A.C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility represented the Department of Corrections and Lenny Ward, Director of the Division of Community Programs, represented the State Parole Board. Margaret Atkins, of the Integrated Justice Alliance, shared her experiences in working with prisoner education, particularly in drafting and promoting legislation in 2009 that has since come to define how educational services are administered by the DOC. Tracey Syphax, CEO & President of Capital City Construction shared his experiences as a formerly incarcerated citizen, and his subsequent success following his time in prison. Finally, Dr. Celia Chazelle, co-director of the Center for Prison Outreach and Education, and Dr. Robert McGreevey shared their knowledge from working directly in A.C. Wagner as providers of education to inmate students.
Students added greatly to the conversation by sharing their experiences at Bonner Scholars and asking important questions that fueled the conversation. Bonner Center staff, students, and partners are currently drafting a white paper to document the discussion and establish concrete action steps that the TCNJ Bonner-partner network will implement in the future.
Project P.R.I.D.E. – January 24, 2012
On January 24th, over 300 TCNJ students and members of the community packed Mayo Concert Hall to hear incarcerated individuals speak about their experiences both before and during their time in prison. Project P.R.I.D.E. (Promoting Responsibility in Drug Education) brings minimum custody offenders, escorted by correction officers, into schools or other agencies to talk about their personal experiences with drugs and alcohol. Although the program is generally geared towards middle and high school ages, the program has come to campus for the past couple of years with overwhelming attendance on the part of TCNJ students.
Michael Ritter, the coordinator of Project P.R.I.D.E. and a TCNJ alumnus, introduced the two individuals from the corrections system and facilitated a question and answer session following the presentations. Several individuals who have subsequently left the New Jersey state prison system and have found substantial success in their lives also presented their stories to the audience, including Curtis Buck, who was a student in one of the courses taught by Dr. Robert McGreevey in A.C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility. TCNJ has partnered with Wagner to have credit-bearing courses taught inside the facility to TCNJ and inmate students. The Center for Prison Outreach and Education (CPOE) on TCNJ’s campus, along with the Bonner Center for Civic and Community Engagement have been very involved and dedicated to bringing educational opportunities to individuals in the state prison system within the Greater Mercer County area.
Following the event, Teach for America, CPOE, and the Bonner Center held a volunteer fair in the lobby of the Music Building. Over 60 new TCNJ students signed up to volunteer in the prison with CPOE students and Bonner Scholars. The Bonner Center continues to be dedicated to raising awareness on campus and in the community regarding this, and many other issues facing the region.
