1

Q: Prior to heading up the Adams Center, you served as president of the American Judicature Society. What lured you to Susquehanna?

A: I was lured to Susquehanna University by its national reputation as a progressive, dynamic and comprehensive university; by the opportunity to collaborate with students and faculty representing diverse disciplines in ways that would enrich the educational experience offered by Susquehanna; and by the natural beauty of the Susquehanna Valley. Moreover, joining Susquehanna allowed me to honor Judge Arlin Adams, himself a past president of the American Judicature Society.

2

Q: What have you found most enjoyable about your work in your first year as director of the Center?

A: I’ve enjoyed engaging in a wonderful variety of activities that bring together and benefit Susquehanna students and faculty, people in the valley and others from across the state. I have planned and presented programs on diverse topics, taught classes, authored numerous published articles and introduced a new talk radio program, “Justice for All?”, to WQSU-FM.

3

Q: During Homecoming Alumni Weekend, the Adams Center presented a program titled The State of the Susquehanna River. Why this topic?

A: Environmental issues, such as the health of the river, have widespread impact, yet they are not easily understood by people without a background in science. These issues involve competing values and hard choices, and they present challenges that are difficult if not impossible to overcome. To address them effectively requires a multidisciplinary effort by science and law. By tackling environmental concerns, the Adams Center is fulfilling its mission of building a better informed and more active citizenry.

4

Q: In what ways are students involved in the work of the Adams Center?

A: We currently have a student intern working with us, and the Adams Center pays to have four students per year work at North Penn Legal Services in Sunbury, Pa., the legal aid provider for the area. Additionally, we offer programs, informal “fireside” chats and other educational experiences to those students interested in the law, either as a career or as an informed citizen. For example, the Adams Center arranged for 20 students to attend the U.S. Supreme Court in October, when a case was being argued.

5

Q: How do you envision the Adams Center five years from now?

A: In five years, I see the Adams Center as a signature program of Susquehanna University, drawing students here from across the country because of the opportunities it presents for civic engagement. By addressing community issues, I think the center will bring the university and its neighbors together in important ways and stimulate creation of similar centers patterned after the Susquehanna model.

Bonus Questions:

A:  In addition to the programming, radio show and participation on government committees and boards, I expect to see the Adams Center take giant steps in expanding its community outreach initiatives.  Immediately, three major projects come to mind:

• In the coming months, the Adams Center hopes to launch a pro se assistance and mediation clinic. The clinic will help guide pro se litigants (those who are unrepresented by an attorney) in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties through civil proceedings without giving legal advice. It will also mediate disputes between willing parties in the hope that they can settle their differences amicably. 

• The Adams Center is also working to develop summer workshops for teachers in the 12 public school districts served by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit. We hope to work with two teachers from each school district next summer to develop units of study on the justice system that they can incorporate into their lesson plans for the 2008-09 school year.  

• I hope to open up justice system mini-courses to area residents, without regard to the level or extent of their prior formal education.

  
  

Q: What plans do you have in place to bolster student involvement with the Center moving forward?

A: Additional positions are being sought so that we are able to place more students in off-campus internships. Once the pro se clinic opens, it too will offer students numerous internship opportunities. We also hope to involve education majors in projects we do with area schools.