Presenter Bios 

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​Children Advocacy Center of Cayuga County is a child-friendly environment, where children of all ages come here to speak with a specially trained interviewer about allegations of child abuse and it houses SAVAR the rape crisis center for our county.

Deborah Riester, LMSW Wells College BA/ SU MSW, Connie Smith: Education Coordinator/BA in Human Development/ NYS Certified Parent Trainer, Candy Clark: Client Services Coordinator and Outreach, BSW, DOH Certified Rape Crisis Trainer, Karen Hoffman: CAC/SAVAR Intern, SAVAR Advocate, Keuka College BSW (A2)

 

Melissa Fortin, Gloria Franco, Britta Kilbourn, Kelly Pietruch, Carolyn Richardson, Justine Tibbits, Gabrielle Uhrig, and Lyndsey Wells are 5 first year students, 1 junior, and 2 seniors who participated in Habitat for Humanity’s College Challenge (sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership). (A4)



Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi.Growing up in apartheid South Africa as a person of Indian heritage meant racial confrontations with both blacks and whites. As a young boy, Gandhi was beaten up by black youths for not being black and by white youths because he was not white. Filled with rage and plotting to avenge his beatings, he subscribed to Charles Atlas bodybuilding magazines so he would have the strength to fight back. When his parents discovered the reason for their 12-year-old son’s sudden fascination with exercise, they decided that a visit to his grandfather in India was in order.What followed was an 18-month stay with one of the world’s great leaders that would give him the keys to the powerful philosophy of nonviolence, and help shape the foundation for his life’s work. It was a dangerous and exciting time, as Mahatma Gandhi was leading the people of India in their revolutionary, nonviolent struggle for independence from British rule. After leading successful projects for economic and social reform in India, Gandhi came to the United States in 1987 to complete research for a comparative study on racism in America. In 1991, Gandhi and his late wife, Sunanda, founded the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, which is now headquartered at the University of Rochester, New York. The Institute’s mission is to foster understanding of nonviolence and how to put that philosophy to practical use through workshops, lectures, and community outreach programs. A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken before hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations. His unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world, including Brazil, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Lithuania, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Nicaragua. Arun Gandhi is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders. (Keynote)



gkisedtanamoogk is Wampanoag from the community of Mashpee located on Cape Cod south of Boston, Massachusetts ; he is family member of Nkeketonseonqikom, the Longhouse of the Otter, and married with three Children. His interests pertain to the social, political, legal and spiritual Life of Wabanaki Nations. He is an Adjunct Instructor with the Native American Studies and the Peace and Reconciliation Programs on the Orono campus of the University of Maine since 2005 and engages many activities of advocacy and interest to Indigenous Peoples including cross-border issues, the Wabanaki Confederacy, and building cross-cultural relationships. (C4)



Joe Heath has been an activist attorney since 1975 and is an environmental attorney with an emphasis on the Clean Water Act and Superfund.  He has become an active opponent to fracking and speaks often against its dangers and the industry’s distortion of the facts.  He also has worked closely with hundreds of land owners to help them end their gas leases.
Children Advocacy Center of Cayuga County is a child-friendly environment, where children of all ages come here to speak with a specially trained interviewer about allegations of child abuse and it houses SAVAR the rape crisis center for our county. (A1)

 

 

Rachel Partington is part of the Occupy Your Health and R-Cause Anti-fracking groups in Rochester NY, and cofounded Access for All Abilities at Wells. (B2)



Leslie James Pickering is Former Spokesperson for the Earth Liberation Front Press Office & co-owner of Burning Books (B1)

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Azra Rahman an anthropology major, graduating senior, previously presented this work at the State sociology conference last October in Potsdam. (C2)



​Robert Ruehl is a PhD candidate in Syracuse University’s Department of Religion; his focus is on the place of religion in social change, resistance to oppression, and the cultivation of a lasting peace. He finds the liberative qualities of religion instructive for resistance movements today, which his research on Henry David Thoreau has encouraged and sustained. (C3)

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Dr. Schwab’s credentials in sustainability include a four-season garden and manure-covered shoes. (B2)



Turan Sidky is a sophomore at Wells, whose involvement with the JYEP has taken him to Vanuatu and Belize, and hopes to offer service in many more communities around the world! (B3)

 

 

Rosemary Stillman’s background includes peace marches and vigils, Quaker social justice work, and the Women’s Resource Center at Wells.  (B2)



The Wells College MSA actively educates and informs the Wells Campus regarding the prejudice and irrational fear of Islam/Muslims. (A3)