Significance in Action: Creating Learning, Innovation and Happiness.

Allen Hall, Stetson University
421 N. Woodland Blvd
DeLand, Florida, 32723
United States

Natalie Faria

Natalie Faria is a Senior at Stetson University with a double major in Political Science and Religious Studies. She enjoys volunteering with children with chronic and terminal illnesses, and after she graduates in May, she will begin a year of service with City Year Orlando. The title of her talk is "Stories of Joy," where she recounts stories in which by creating happiness in the lives of others through service, she has been able to create happiness in her own life.

Paul Croce

Dr. Paul Croce is a Professor of History and American Studies at Stetson University and also the President of the James Society. Inspired by James's commitment to public intellectual work, he teaches and researches the major value issues in American culture. The title of Dr. Croce's presentation is "Water From a Fire Hose: Information Abundance and Liberal Learning," discussing the importance of liberal learning in sifting through information abundance so as to gain understanding, foster creativity, and solve problems.

Kevin Winchell

Kevin Winchell is the Assistant Director of Community Engagement at Stetson University. He graduated from Stetson in 2007 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Political Science, and is currently completing his Master's in Business Administration at Stetson. The title of Kevin's talk is "When there's a will there's a way: How to disrupt the status quo with a $50 cooler of soda," discussing his endeavors in creating a free, non-partisan political campaigning conference with a budget of zero dollars.

Hari Pulapaka

Dr. Hari Pulapaka is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Cress Restaurant in DeLand, FL. He is also a full-time tenured Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Stetson University. The title of Dr. Pulapaka's talk is "Actionable Steps Toward a Better Food System," discussing the critical issues facing our nation's food system and highlighting the grassroots as well as large-scale movements around the country chefs and others are developing to find actionable solutions to problems.

Samuel Slaughter

Sam Slaughter graduated with a B.A. from Elon University in 2009, and has worked as a City Year Corps Member, teaching fourth grade students. He is currently pursuing his MA in English at Stetson University, and is working on completing his first novel. The title of Sam's talk is "Cannibalizing Your Friends and Family: Significance in Fiction Writing," discussing the importance of pulling apart life experiences and reassembling them in a way that creates significant, memorable stories.

Caroline Skinner

Caroline Skinner is a mother of four and is currently enrolled in Stetson's MBA program. She is also a poverty survivor. The title of her talk is "Don't Judge a Book by Its Cover," relating her experiences with poverty.