Giving to the Philosophy Department

Engaging the community with regard to contemporary moral conflicts, democratic values, peace, justice, and civility.

Successes

• Leon S. Peters Ethics Lecture Series.
• Collaboration with the Fresno Bee, the Lyles Center for Entrepreneurship, the Civic Learning Partnership of Fresno County, the Bonner Center for Character Education, the Human Rights Coalition of Central California, and Valley Children's Hospital.

Goals

• Sponsorship of individual activities and events.
• Full Endowment for the Ethics Center.

Education about the the world's religions and the challenge of religious diversity.

Successes

• Two $100,000 grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (Fiala/Biondo and Biondo) - resulting in projects on Civility and Religious Diversity and The California Religious Pluralism Project.

Goals

• Develop Sikh Studies and other South Asian Studies programs.
• Strengthen collaborations with Jewish Studies, Middle East Studies (which is also housed in our department). 

Educating students for success in law school. Two new faculty hired beginning Fall 2016. Collaboration with San Joaquin College of Law and Fresno City College focused on Central Valley Pathway to Law School Initiative - aimed at helping under-represented students enter into the legal profession (http://www.fresnostatenews.com/2016/04/14/university-to-join-pathway-to-law-school-initiative/).

Goals

• Scholarships for students interested in Law School, including LSAT preparation.
• Collaborations with CART, Bullard High School, etc, aimed at recruiting talented pre-law students.

A minor and certificate program, which includes peace-building, mediation, and restorative justice.

Collaboration with Mediator Mentors, a program that trains children in nonviolent conflict resolution.

Goals

• Establish a major in Peace and Conflict Studies including scholarships for students.
• Develop a Center for Peace and Social Justice, in collaboration with Ethics Center.