Academics

President Barron to help kick off Shaping the Future Summit 2015

The Shaping The Future Summit is designed to engage the Penn State community in discussion and interactive programs focused on global issues and leadership scenarios. Credit: Schreyer Honors College / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Schreyer Honors College will launch this year’s Shaping the Future Summit with an address from Penn State President Eric Barron.

The event will be held at the Nittany Lion Inn Boardroom from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, followed by a networking reception. The event is free and open to the public.

The Shaping the Future Summit is a yearlong program of events designed by the Schreyer Honors College to facilitate conversations between students, faculty and the community through dynamic and inspiring learning experiences. The program will culminate with a world leader coming to University Park to deliver the keynote address April 1.

The theme of last year’s inaugural summit was “The Impact of Innovation” and featured space pioneer and entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, CEO and co-founder of the Google X Prize.

During last year’s keynote event, Schreyer Honors College Dean Christian Brady unveiled the theme for this year’s summit: “The Power of Money.” 

“The summit will give students an understanding of the power of money and a greater understanding of the role money plays in the world,” said Schreyer Honors College coordinator of student programs Donna Meyer. “Part of the mission of the Schreyer Honors College is to create opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. The summit not only offers this chance to our students but to anyone who wants to have a meaningful conversation about their role in shaping the future.”

Brady characterized the summit as a “big idea,” one that goes beyond a one-time event and instead engages students and faculty throughout the academic year.

“The shape of our future will be determined by today’s students and how they answer tough questions,” Brady said. “We want to give these questions to them now rather than later.”

Among those expected to attend include Barron, key University faculty and staff, 2014 summit co-sponsors, local community leaders, and representatives from financial institutions, charities and student organizations.

“Money is a broad and diverse topic — one that affects every citizen of the world.” Meyer said. “Students will broaden their understanding of how money shapes the world around them, both locally and globally, as they engage in conversations with each other, faculty, staff, community and international leaders from diverse professional fields.”

Following the kick-off, special events are planned to engage University and local community members.

Topics to be covered in the 2015 program include the future of economic development, economic disparity, consumerism, health care and education, among others.

Upcoming Summit-related events include:

-- CEO of One Laptop per Child, Oct. 9, Berg Auditorium

CEO and Chairman of the Board Rodrigo Arboleda Halaby of One Laptop per Child will discuss the mission of his nonprofit organization, whose goal is to create educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children. One Laptop per Child distributed 2 million laptops to more than 35 countries and 21 languages worldwide.

-- The Power of Money: Your Career Your Impact, Oct. 23, Schwab Auditorium

Distinguished leaders from the Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, PNC Bank and Thomson Reuters will engage students on stage and in the audience in a lively discussion about today’s economy, the power of money and the potential impact students can have in their careers and in a global community.

-- A team of 30 students will host a variety of special programs and activities such as book discussions, films and coffeehouse conversations throughout the year on campus and in the community to raise awareness of this year’s theme.

Penn State faculty are invited to engage students on the topic “The Power of Money” in the classroom as it pertains to their discipline — from agriculture, health care and the arts to business, nonprofits, education and more.

Partnering with the Schreyer Honors College on the Shaping the Future Summit is the Presidential Leadership Academy. 

For more information about the summit, visit http://futuresummit.psu.edu and follow on social media at #futuresummit.

Last Updated January 9, 2015