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Pizza & Perspectives

University Life Arlington sponsors this monthly series of academic discussions for members of the Arlington Campus community. The goal of Pizza & Perspectives is to involve students, faculty, and alumni across disciplines in meaningful and rational dialogue on relevant topics. University Life provides pizza and soda.

All sessions take place in the Founders Hall Multipurpose Room (Room 126) from 6-7:15 pm.

Check back in September for information on the next Pizza & Perspectives discussions!

Previous Events:

April 9, 2013
Earth, Wind, and Fire: The State of Renewable Energy Policy in 2013
Click here to view session
Panelists Included:
Tom Kimbis, VP Strategy & External Affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association
Noah Ginsburg, Communications Associate, American Council on Renewable Energy
Matthew Nocella, Assistant Manager of Strategic Communications, National Hydropower Association

March 5, 2013
Where Has All the Civility Gone?
Examining Discourse in American Politics and Working Across Party Lines
Click here to view session
Panelists Included:
Richard Rubenstein, SCAR Professor, George Mason University
Solon Simmons, SCAR Associate Professor, George Mason University
Sandra Cheldelin, SCAR Professor, George Mason University

February 6, 2013
Fixing America's Broken Healthcare System: Striking the Balance between Affordability, Equality, and Liberty
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Len Nichols, Director, Health Policy Research & Ethics Center, College of Health & Human Services
Barry Clendenin, Adjunct, School of Public Policy,
Dr. Joseph Antos, Wilson H. Taylor Scholar in Health Care and Retirement Policy, American Enterprise Institute

November 13, 2012
Election 2012 One Week Later: An Analysis by Mason Faculty
Click here to view the session
Also check out C-SPAN's coverage of the event
Panelists Included:
Richard Norton Smith, Scholar in Residence, History & Art History
Jeremy Mayer, Associate Professor/Dir, Masters of Public Policy, School of Public Policy
Toni-Michelle Travis, Associate Professor, Public & International Affairs

October 11, 2012
The Role of Religion in a Presidential Election
Panelists Included:
John Farina, Associate Professor, Religious Studies, George Mason University
Mark J. Rozell, Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University
Greg Smith, Senior Research, Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life

September 10, 2012
From Pupusas to Microbrews: Gentrification & Columbia Pike
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Takis Karantonis, Executive Director of CPRO; the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization
Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board member
Nina Janopaul, President of APAH (Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing)
Christian Dorsey, Community Activist, Political Commentator & Pike Resident

April 4, 2012
Clean Water and Human Rights
Panelists Included:
Karin Krchnak, Senior Advisor, International Water Policy - The Nature Conservancy
Ashley Milton, Doctoral Student, George Mason University, Environmental Science and Public Policy
Dann Sklarew, Associate Professor of Applied Ecology and Sustainability, Associate Director of Potomac Environment Research and Education Center, and Fellow of Sustainability Studies at George Mason University

March 7, 2012
Philanthropy & Public Policy: What's the Connection?
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Dr. Alan Abramson, Director, Mason's Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy
Dr. Zoltan Acs , Director, Mason’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy
Mr. Aaron Dorfman, Executive Director, National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
Dr. Benjamin Soskis, Fellow, Mason's Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy

February 9, 2012
The Arab Uprisings: A Year Later
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Mustapha Hadji, Graduate Student, George Mason University School of Public Policy
Aziz Abu Sarah, Co-Executive Director, Middle East Projects, CRDC, School for Conflict Analysis & Resolution

November 9, 2011
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Discussing Transportation Infrastructure, Financing, and the Future
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Dr. Joshua Schank, President & CEO, Eno Transportation Foundation
Mr. Nick Donahue, Policy Director, Transportation for America
Mr. Alan Pisarski, Influential Transportation Policy Consultant
Dr. Jonathan Gifford, Professor & Associate Dean, George Mason University School of Public Policy

October 13, 2011
Social Entrepreneurship: More Bang for Your Buck
Panelists Included:
Dr. Phillip Auerswald, Associate Professor, George Mason University School of Public Policy
Nick Martin, Co-Founder and President, TechChange
Harrison Miller, Co-founder of Deals for Deeds

September 14, 2011
Sex, Lies and Politicians: Examining a Wave of Sex Scandals in Politics
Click here to view the session
Panelists Included:
Dr. Jeremy Mayer, Associate Professor, George Mason University School of Public Policy
Mr. Mark Tooley, President, Institute on Religion and Democracy
Dr. William Schneider, Omer L. & Nancy Hirst Endowed Chair, George Mason University School of Public Policy
Mr. David Mark, Senior Editor, Politico

April 20, 2011
The Politics of Climate Change
Panelists Included:
Dr. Andrew Light, Associate Professor, Philosophy & Director of the Center for Global Ethics, George Mason University
Dr. Robert Ehrlich, Professor, Physics & Astronomy, George Mason University
Jonathan Wisbey, Policy Associate, Climate Communities

March 22, 2011
Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.: Legislative, Cultural, and Practical Implications
Panelists Included:
Gabriel Hudson, PhD Student in Public and International Affairs, George Mason University
Brian Moulton, JD, Chief Legislative Counsel, Human Rights Campaign
Cathryn Oakley, President, GALLA (LGBTQ Student Alliance) George Mason School of Law

February 21, 2011
Fear in American Society and Politics
Panelists Included:
Dr. Peter N. Stearns, Provost and University Professor, George Mason University
Dr. Susan J. Tolchin, University Professor, George Mason University School of Public Policy
David Schleicher, JD, Assistant Professor, George Mason University School of Law

November 8, 2010
Uncle Sam Wants YOUR Money!
Tax Reform and the Coming Era of Higher Taxes
Panelists Included:
Joseph D. Henchman, Tax Counsel & Director of State Projects, Tax Foundation
Dr. Lloyd Cohen, Professor, George Mason University School of Law
Dr. John Petersen, Professor, George Mason University School of Public Policy

October 12, 2010
Fox vs. MSNBC: The New American Civil War?
Discussion on Media and Politics in the 21st Century
Panelists Included:
Dr. Bill Schneider, Omer L. and Nancy Hirst, Professor of Public Policy, George Mason University
Dr. Jeremy Mayer, Associate Professor, George Mason University
Jamie Weinstein, Deputy Editor, The Daily Caller
Lisa De Pasquale, Conservation Political Action Conference

September 13, 2010
Effectively Communicating Your Perspective:
Tools for Achieving Success in Business, Law, Policy, and Mediation
Panelists Included:
Kenneth Fung/My Hoang, Toastmasters
Mark Valentini, Toastmasters & GMU School of Public Policy Alumnus
Stacy O’Mara, Booz Allen & GMU School of Public Policy Alumnus
Dr. A. Lee Fritschler, George Mason University Professor

April 5, 2010
Legalization of Marijuana?
Panelists Included:
Jeremy Mayer, Professor, George Mason University
Mr. Conn Carroll, GMU Law School, Alumnus
Mr. Ryan Hoskin, GMU School of Public Policy, Alumnus

March 15, 2010
"Aimee's Law": How One Mason Student was a Catalyst for a Federal Law
Panelist Included:
Connie Kirkland, Director of Sexual Assault Services, George Mason University

February 8, 2010 (Rescheduled to February 15 due to snow day)
Is Our Food Safe? Food Safety & Security
Panelists Included:
Todd M. La Porte, Professor, George Mason University             
Ms. Michelle Ranville, PHD candidate, Mason School of Public Policy
Ms. Aubrey Cote, Student Services, School of Public Policy