The new Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics appointed Hardin-Simmons University's Dr. Susan Pigott, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, as one of its 6 Founding Fellows. The Centre is the world’s first academy dedicated to the enhancement of the ethical status of animals through academic publication, teaching, and research. It will act as an independent think tank for the advancement of progressive thought about animals. One of the areas of research will be the relationship between animal abuse and violence to human beings.

Fellows are academics and researchers of all disciplines with a record of research and publication in the field, and who share the philosophy of the Centre. Fellows will collaborate in research projects, and contribute articles, comment pieces, and reviews for the Journal of Animal ethics, and participate in conferences arranged by the Centre.

Over 100 academics from 10 countries have agreed to become advisors to the Centre, which was launched online today. One of the world’s major writers, Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor J. M. Coetzee, honored the Centre by agreeing to become its first Honorary Fellow.

Professor Priscilla Cohn, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Penn State University, associate director of the Centre, said, “It seems to us that academics should take the lead in helping to foster a new kind of debate about animals; one that goes beyond slogans and stereotypes.”

Oxford theologian, the Reverend Professor Andrew Linzey is the new director for the Centre and the world’s premiere theologian dealing with animal theology and ethics. His book, Animal Theology proposes a theological basis for protecting and caring for animals.

Dr. Pigott explains, “His premise is that dominion (as given by God in Gen. 1:26) is not unlimited power over creation to do with it what we wish. Rather, as the Gospel teaches, those who would lead must serve; therefore, human dominion over creation is a call not to superiority but to service and care. We should treat creation with the same love and concern that God does. Because of the incredibly inhumane conditions in factory farms (and elsewhere), the Oxford Centre is dedicated to educating the public about the desperate need for animal ethics.”

Dr. Linzey, who holds the world’s first post in Ethics, Theology and Animal Welfare, the Bede Jarrett Senior Research fellowship at Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, says, “There is a strong rational case for animals, which has been recognized over the centuries by academics and philosophers. What is needed is for this rational case to be much better known, and there are now signs that progressive thinking is becoming mainstream. Importantly, animals are now

recognized as sentient beings in European law. We must strive to ensure animal issues are highlighted and rationally discussed throughout society; we cannot change the world for animals without changing our ideas about them. The Centre will promote ethical attitudes and contribute to informed public debate. The support of such a large number of internationally recognized academics underlines just how important animals are as a moral issue.”

Dr. Pigott joins 2 theologians, two philosophers, and a scientist in her position with the Centre: Professor Paul Ara Barsam (theologian at the University of Yerevan, Armenia), Professor Mark Bernstein (philosopher at Purdue University), Dr. Scott Cowdell (theologian at Charles Sturt University and Rector, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Canberra, Australian), Professor Mark Rowlands (philosopher at the University of Hertfordshire, UK), and Professor Martin Willison (biologist and environmentalist at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada).

Posted by Dave Coffield · November 27, 2006 11:53 AM · Comments (0)

Dr. William Mouat, assistant professor of music and director of opera at Hardin-Simmons University, brings a lavish production of the contemporary opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors” to First Baptist Church in a much anticipated reprise of the holiday classic. The production, which features a cast, orchestra, and 60-member chorale from the HSU School of Music and Fine Arts, will hold a special matinee for area schoolchildren at 10:00 a.m. on Nov 30, and performances for the general public on Dec 1 and Dec 3 at 6:00 p.m. Admission for the evening performances is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and senior citizens.

Set on Christmas Eve, the opera is the story of how a crippled boy (Amahl) discovers his own Christmas miracle, as the Three Kings request lodging in his home on their journey to visit the Christ-Child in Bethlehem. First Baptist Church discontinued their own production of the opera after the 2002 season, and the classic has been missed. “This holiday favorite has something for everyone; a poignant nativity message, music, dance, scenic design, and marvelous costuming,” says Dr. Mouat, “the opera is a perfect fit for the resources we have at Hardin-Simmons; we had to bring it back.”

Gian-Carlo Menotti’s opera has the distinction of being the first opera ever commissioned for television. NBC telecast the premiere on December 24, 1951. Because of the overwhelming response from viewers, it was rebroadcast each holiday season and has been heard by more Americans than any other opera.

Tickets are available at the door for the evening performances.

Posted by Dave Coffield · November 21, 2006 2:59 PM · Comments (4)

Enrollment services has a marvelous new tool that gives prospective students a feel for Hardin-Simmons’ culture; before they ever set foot on the campus. Members of the University Communications design team have collected songs and performances by HSU students, alumni, staff, and even a professor or two, and produced the CD, “The Playlist.”

"The Playlist" CD Cover

Leland Harden, director of University Communications, describes the inspiration that led to the creation of the CD, “Our prospective students spend much of their time online chatting with friends, downloading music and videos, and sharing their favorites with friends. I wanted to insert HSU into that behavior and share a bit of what makes HSU special with them.”

“The Playlist” CD is only part of the project. Students can visit “The Playlist” website at http://www.hsutx.edu/playlist/ to read biographies of featured artists, ask questions about HSU on artists’ MySpace sites, receive updates to the artist listing, check schedules for performances, and recommend HSU performers and bands for inclusion in the “The Playlist.”

Chase Gassaway, a music theory and composition major, and one of the CD’s featured artists describes himself as, “a composer. I mainly write and arrange for small chamber ensembles, but I've also done song cycles and percussion pieces. I am also a singer/songwriter. I mainly play acoustic shows. But I play electric guitar, piano, and harmonica for session work, worship sets, or for hire with other bands. Recently I've enjoyed arranging strings for Philip Creamer's new solo project, Johnny Lloyd Rollin's debut album, and Becky Middleton's upcoming EP.” “HSU is rich with talent. ‘The Playlist’ is just a cool way to share this with the community,” says student Salvador Torres, guitarist with At Fever Pitch.

In addition to Chase’s song, “Ninevah,” At Fever Pitch’s “A Dead Woman and a Sick Girl,” O’Scarlet’s “Story of Jacob,” the World Famous Cowboy Band’s rendition of “Hey Baby,” and Chris Norwood’s (music education major) “Ain’t Gonna Play,” appear on the ten-song CD.

The CD is edgy and innovative. Prospective students can obtain a copy by filling out a request for information at HSU admissions’ site, http://www.hsutx.edu/forms/RequestInfoFormUG.html
and asking for a copy of the CD in the “comments” box. “The Playlist” selections are also available on I-Tunes, and the website will direct you there as well. As Harden says, “The Playlist” should provide a unique way for students to begin to feel connected with HSU, want to learn more, and create a desire to attend here.”

Posted by Dave Coffield · November 16, 2006 1:38 PM · Comments (0)