2022
The Changing Nature of Work and Play
September 13-15, 2022
Technology, a pandemic, social justice movements, and generational shifts are just a few of many factors that have influenced the nature of employment, demanding a more flexible and collaborative work environment. From scientists around the globe putting their heads together to create a vaccine, to symphonies making music in harmony on Zoom, to couples job-sharing or flex-timing in order to meet the demands of family, the workplace of the future will require innovative and adaptable minds to maximize performance and employee satisfaction. At the same time, psychologists and Gen Z’ers alike understand the need for relaxation and "play" if workers are to be at their best. But play, likewise, has become marked by the influence of technology, as online gaming communities continue to rise, competing quite literally with physical games and sports. Finding the ideal balance of work, life, and play--for the individual, the employer, and our economy--becomes more challenging all the time. This Symposium will engage experts who will help us understand the impact of the changes we see and help us think carefully about the lives we want to build for ourselves. It will highlight the importance of values, character, lifelong learning, and problem-solving--all key components of a liberal arts education.
Cameron Gramarye
Chief Scientist, Game Designer, Hybrid Vigor Studios
“Unintelligent Game Design”
CSC 205
In this interactive session, participants will get the chance to learn about and play the game “Unintelligent Design,” in which players take on the roles of species within an ecosystem. In order to survive, players must work together, utilizing principles of ecology and evolution to promote ecosystem health and sustainability. Pre-registration for this session is required to play, but observers are also welcome.
(Registration is required. This workshop is reserved for Westminster students. Limit: 24)
Moderator: Dr. Joshua Holzer
Scott Schutte, ’06 ΒΘΠ
Owner of Evolved Personal Trainer and Healthy Behavior Institute
“Your Future with Fitness”
Wetterau Athletic Center
Having a body and mind able to do all the things you want to do as you age has a lot to do with your approach to fitness. As the seasons in your life change, you will encounter different challenges, stressors, and responsibilities. The ways you make your health a priority will need to adjust with those. We don’t need to be in the gym lifting weights every day, but we do need to figure out a plan that works for our personal needs, personality, and environment. Scott Schutte will cover strategies to evaluate the best approach for your individual fitness journey, root causes for unhealthy behaviors, and a mini workout to give you a feel for some activities you could be doing.
(Registration is required. This workshop is reserved for Westminster students.)
Moderator: Mandy Schick
Kenny Greene and Jane Mudd
Local Artists
“Found Object Art”
Hermann Lounge
Columbia artist and art Professor Emeritus Kenny Greene will lead registered students in a jewelry-making workshop. While creating art with Greene, you will also learn some of the basic principles of artistic design and some of the ways that world-famous artist Nick Cave, who will speak at 7 p.m. on Sept. 14 in Champ Auditorium, incorporates them into his own art.
(Registration is required. This workshop is reserved for Westminster students. Limit: 20)
Moderator: Dr. Nate Leonard
Colleen O’Brien
Author, Staff Writer, Paramount Pictures
“A Reading of Short Fiction”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
Writer Colleen O'Brien will read selections from her recently published collection of short fiction, All Roads. A Q&A will follow, along with an opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Colleen's work.
Moderator: Dr. Jeremy Reed
VP Platform, UneeQ, Inc.
“Digital Humans – Stepping into the Metaverse"
Champ Auditorium
As reality and virtual reality continue to blend, humans will need to depend more and more on machines. Building trust between man and machine requires injecting humanity into artificial intelligence. Digital Humans exist to help bridge that gap.
Moderator: Dr. Heidi LaVine
Host: Blaine Ravert
Linda Dunikoski
Senior Assistant District Attorney, Cobb County District Attorney’s Office
“Bringing Justice to the Victims of Crime”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
What does it mean to work within the criminal justice system and serve those who have suffered violence and loss as the victims of crime? Linda Dunikoski, the lead prosecutor in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case, will discuss her 20-year career working for the victims of crime.
Moderator: Dr. Kali Wright-Smith
Liberty Vittert, PhD
Professor of the Practice of Data Science, Olin Business School at Washington University
“Laying a Strong Foundation for the Workplace: Becoming an Informed Citizen”
Hermann Lounge
The world of work brings with it significant challenges in managing information, working in a digital environment, and making ethical decisions. To be one's best in the workplace, one must also be a good citizen. With a new world of technology, data, and artificial intelligence coming at us like a hurricane, how do we stay informed? What does it mean to be an informed citizen?Moderator: Dr. Mary Majerus
The Hon. James E. Baker
Director, Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law; Professor of Law, Syracuse University College of Law; Professor of Public Administration, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
“Principle or Power: Does Law Matter?”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
In this session, we will look at the two great national security legal crises of our time: January 6, 2021, and the attacks on Ukraine, and put them into context for a younger audience who may only perceive “the law” through the lens of the past five years. After making observations about the two events, Hon. James E. Baker will offer a solution or, more aptly, a choice, about how we move forward — we either treat law as a collection of principles or we treat law as a spoil of power.
Moderator: Dr. Tobias Gibson
Colleen O’Brien
Author and Staff Writer, Paramount Pictures
“Both Sides Now: One Writer’s Path to Fiction and Screenwriting”
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
The writing life isn’t (usually) an easy one! But if you’re passionate about writing, patient, determined, and cool with failing before you succeed, you’ll find a way. In this presentation, Colleen O’Brien shares the story of her writing life — the day jobs, the debt, the disappointment, the glimmers of hope, the lucky breaks, the joy of connecting through art — that led to her current life as a fiction and television writer. Come with any and all questions, hopes, dreams, self-doubts, or wild schemes, and we’ll make it a conversation.
Moderator: Dr. Jeremy Reed
Katie Pilgram-Kloppe, '08 ΚΑΘ
Zoological Manager-River’s Edge at the Saint Louis Zoo
“From Fence to Field: My Story of Animal Care and Conservation at the Saint Louis Zoo”
CSC 206
During this presentation, Katie Pilgram-Kloppe will discuss her journey to becoming a caretaker for endangered animals at the Saint Louis Zoo and the role we play in global conservation efforts to save these animals and their habitats. She will also discuss the important role of accredited zoos in advancing animal care, husbandry, research, technology, and education.
Moderator: Dr. Dawn Holliday
Healthcare Panel
Lana Zerrer, MD, '95 ΚΑΘ, Chief of Staff at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospitaland
Misty Todd, MD, ’13 IND, Family Medicine Physician
“A Day in the Life of a Missouri Physician”
Hermann Lounge
Missouri is home to nationally renowned hospitals such as BJC Healthcare in St. Louis and Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, but many of our state’s unsung medical heroes work hard each day to meet the complicated needs of patients who live in rural areas, often traveling significant distances for care. These physicians must be prepared to treat not only traditional physical complaints. They must also manage various patient mental health crises, families of patients, and intricate financial constraints. This panel discussion brings together two Westminster alumni who live and breathe this vital work. They will speak about the daily rewards and challenges of practicing medicine in Missouri today.
Moderator: Dr. Matt Howell
Harry O’Brien
Student Athlete and Former Professional Athlete
“The Walk”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
What makes you happy, and why? In this discussion, Harry O’Brien will show a brief video of the worst day of his life: when he tried to end his life. The video details the thoughts and feelings O’Brien had that day, which will lead into a conversation about mental health and the impacts of school, sports, and death. O’Brien will advocate for students to reach out and ask for help as well as to destigmatize talking about mental health.
Moderator: Dr. Mark Boulton
Tricia Woolbright-Gramarye
Owner of Sylvia Lining at Maya Creek
“Urban Gardens”
CSC 303
Join Tricia Woolbright-Gramarye as she discusses how to keep the momentum behind community garden spaces and how to raise awareness about them.
Moderator: Dr. Johanna Morrow
Katie Sowers
First Woman and Openly Gay Coach to Coach in a Super Bowl
“The Work and Play of Professional Sports”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
In this session, Katie Sowers will discuss topics such as building an inclusive sports culture on campus, the importance of being a student as well as an athlete, and learning about how athletes can be supportive, effective, and inspiring leaders off the playing field, with the hope leaving students with a sense of how sports cultures can and will change to embrace a fuller spectrum of human experience and excellence. How students can help to make that happen on their campus will be part of the discussion.
Moderator: Dr. Barri Bumgarner
Jeff Vogel
Founder and President of Spiderweb Software
“Video Games Are the Dragon That Eats Time, and Why Did We Want That Anyway?”
Hermann Lounge
In a very, very short time, video games rose from an obscure activity for weirdos to one of the world's biggest (by any metric), most popular entertainment activities. However, there is one key difference between video games and other fun-time media: They don't end! They are fully open-ended, easily devouring thousands of hours of time. This talk asks: Whuh? Was this a good idea? Why did we grab onto these addiction engines so eagerly? What purpose do they serve in the society we're trying to run here? Good or bad? It's actually complicated, and hopefully not boring.
Moderator: Dr. Joshua Holzer
Artist
Champ Auditorium
Join the Chicago-based artist, educator, and messenger when he returns to his hometown of Fulton to give a special presentation on his life and art. Expect an evening of profound and compassionate analysis. Columbia artist Kenny Greene will lead the discussion, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Moderator: Kenny Greene
This event is made possible by a grant from the Missouri Humanities Council and is sponsored by America’s National Churchill Museum, The Callaway Bank, and Mr. Victor Pasley.
Debbie Rhea, EdD
Professor, Founder and Director of the LiiNK Project, Texas Christian University
“The Secret Sauce of a Healthy Life”
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
Although play often appears to have no end or purpose and is treated more as a child’s role, it does have profound biological effects on the normal functions of living across the lifespan. Consequently, this directly affects how we feel, behave, and function at all ages. Interestingly, play promotes survival, problem-solving capabilities, joy, intellectual flexibility and dexterity, and social competence. This presentation will focus on 1) how unstructured, outdoor play is the secret sauce for children and adults to find the true work or school, life, play balance, and 2) steps needed for individuals, families, and employers to shift what truly drives production and lifelong health.
Moderator: Dr. Amanda Gowin
Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon, JD
Missouri’s 55th Governor and Partner at Dowd Bennett LLP
“The Work of Politics: Building a Strong Democracy for All”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
Few Missourians can boast of the depth of political experience 55th Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon claims: six years as state senator, four terms as the attorney general, two terms as governor. At the same time, as a partner at the prestigious Dowd Bennett law firm, Nixon has argued not only in front of the Missouri Supreme Court but the U.S. Supreme Court, as well. Most notably, Nixon has been praised for his determination to foster cooperation in politics, having appointed more than 150 bipartisan judges while serving as governor. During this session, Nixon will not only discuss the complex “work” of politics, but he will also talk about the role everyday citizens play in the political realm. Finally, given his vast experience and wisdom, he will offer his thoughts regarding how a healthy political system is essential to the future of American democracy.
Moderator: Missouri State Representative Louis Riggs, ’83 ΔΤΔ
Tori Ellis
Vice President, CMA Global
“Beyond Psych 101: What Organizational Psychology Tells Us About Navigating Our Mindset and Motivation in the Real World (of Work)”
CSC 206
Pop culture and top business publications will use popular buzzwords to describe employee success: grit, resilience, emotional intelligence/EQ, engagement. What does it all mean? Rooted in science and molded by applied experience in business consulting, this session explores psychological concepts related to success and satisfaction in one’s career. Beyond theories, we will discuss practical and actionable steps for building your mental and emotional toolkit for the evolving world of work.
Moderator: Dr. David Jones
Volunteerism Panel
Frishta Aslami, '14 IND, Afghan Placement and Assistance Program Supervisor for Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri
Althea Honan, ’21 IND, Admissions Coordinator at Logan University
Matthias McCurren, '10 IND, International Admissions Coordinator at the Missouri Military Academy
"Volunteerism and Service as Work"
CSC 303
Based on data collected by Americorps, around 30 percent of all Americans actively participate in community service each year — some a few hours here and there, and others as full-time employment. Altogether, these individuals contribute nearly 6 billion hours of work annually, with an economic value of around 150 billion dollars. Clearly, volunteerism and service work are cornerstones of life in the United States. And it is vital "work." This panel brings together three Westminster alumni who have been deeply involved in the world of volunteerism to help us understand the benefits and challenges of volunteer work, both locally and globally.
Moderator: Dr. Carolyn Perry-Hunt
Successful Business Environments Panel
Barbie Banks, Co-Custodian of the Ragtag Film Society
Jabbok Schlacks, CEO and Co-Founder of EquipmentShare
Secily Devese, Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager, Veteran’s United Home Loans
“Creating Positive Work Environments”
CSC 203 (Lecture Hall)
The workplace of the 21st century has been marked by constant change, as more and more options open for working remotely, as more companies consider giving up landmark buildings for shared office space, and as everything from a pandemic to rising gas prices creates challenges for employers to keep employees engaged and happy. Our panelists come from very different industries, but they share some common traits: particularly, their ability to create extremely positive work environments and their determination to contribute to their local communities. This panel will discuss the workplace of the present and future, delving into topics that range from recruitment of a strong team to establishing a vibrant work environment to the finances of the 21st century workplace to dynamic community engagement.
Moderator: Professor Kelli Fram
A Conversation with Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon, JD
Missouri’s 55th Governor and Partner at Dowd Bennett LLP
CSC 204
During this session, 55th Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will take questions from the audience regarding his life and work, his thoughts on politics, his vision for the future, and his advice to students interested in political careers — as well as to students who will serve our country as everyday citizens.
Moderator: Dr. Tobias Gibson