Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium
The Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium | |
---|---|
Genre | Student-run lecture series |
Begins | September |
Ends | December |
Location(s) | The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland |
Inaugurated | 1967 |
Attendance | Over 1,000 est. per event |
Organized by | Sam Sands, Theodore Kupfer, Eyal Foni, and Olivia Choi |
Website | |
www |
The Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium is a lecture series sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University.
History
Established in 1967, the MSE Symposium is designed to present an issue of national importance to the university in its entirety, as well as to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. communities. The series is named in honor of Milton S. Eisenhower, who served as University President from 1956-1967 and again from 1971-1972. He was the younger brother of U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Symposium has established a reputation as a forum for the free exchange of ideas and the analysis of issues at the forefront of the nation’s conscience. All events are free and open to the public.[1]
Leadership
The Symposium is run entirely by undergraduate students at the University’s Homewood Campus. The co-chairs, selected each year by the Student Council, are responsible for choosing a theme, securing speakers, raising the necessary funds, recruiting a student staff, and publicizing the series. There is a staff of about 20 students.[2][3] The chairs for the 2016 Symposium are Sam Sands, Theodore Kupfer, Eyal Foni, and Olivia Choi.
Symposium structure
Symposium events are held on the Homewood Campus of the Johns Hopkins University. Each speaker delivers an address to attendees, usually followed by a question and answer session with the audience. Additionally, some speakers hold a meet and greet session with the audience after the event.
Symposium themes
2015
Voices that Shaped Today, Visions that Frame Tomorrow
Chairs: Jeremy Fraenkel, Nicole Michelson, Ariel Zahler, and Nadeem Bandealy
2014
The Generation Electric: Recharging the Promise of Tomorrow
Chairs: Annabel Barnicke, Daniel Elkin, P. Nash Jenkins, and Connor Kenehan
2013
Learning from Experience: The Path Ahead for Generation Y
Chairs: Aidan Christofferson, Aaron Tessler, Francesca Pinelli, and Elias Rosenblatt[4]
The 2013 theme for the MSE Symposium is "Learning from Experience: The Path Ahead for Generation Y". As young adults today, we prepare to leave college and enter a world of undeniable uncertainty. Due to the nature of the economy, of politics, and of modern society we find ourselves at an ideological crossroads. We wanted to question the choices that we as a society have made in the past, and what we have to do to overcome the undeniably daunting and unique challenges of the future. Through reflecting on the past, we might be able to better direct a society that has never before displayed such a tangible capacity for change.
2012
The Power of the Individual: How One Voice can Change the World
Chairs: Chris Alvarez, Corey Rogoff, Eva Marie, and Najarro Smith
This year’s theme is The Power of the Individual: How One Voice Can Change the World. The explosion of technological advancements witnessed in the early twenty-first century has moved our society towards a future of fundamental and pervasive individualism. Global growth of social media has allowed the actions of a single individual to ripple through the world community in ways never before seen. Just as a Tunisian fruit vender can inspire the masses across the Arab world to seize the hope of a better future, so can a lone gunman wreak havoc on a small Colorado town that easily could have been our own community. To discuss and analyze the opportunities and pitfalls of the changing world, we have invited a diverse body of prominent speakers to further inform our community.
Each speaker will offer a unique and deeply insightful contribution to the issues at hand. How can this technology best be utilized to inspire, inform, and improve ourselves and our nation? How can we, as Hopkins students and global citizens, best prepare to interact in a vast yet rapidly shrinking world and ensure a better world for the next generation?
2011
America's Boundless Possibilities: Innovate, Advance, Transform
Chairs: Jonathan Kornblau, Elizabeth Goodstein, and Jon Mest
The 2011 theme, America’s Boundless Possibilities: Innovate, Advance, Transform. Increasing globalization and the advent of social networking have fostered more worldwide competition than ever before. In this new age, American must strive to remain at the forefront of progress. This year’s Symposium addresses the various strides America must take to strengthen its position in the global landscape at catapult the world towards the future. To adequately discuss the challenges facing our generation, we have invited a diverse body of prominent speakers to further inform our community.
Each speaker will offer a unique and deeply insightful contribution to the issues at hand. What will it take for America to remain socially, politically, and technologically relevant? How can America, as a member of this ever-evolving and ever-connected global community, continue to transform the world through innovation and advancement?
2010
The Global Network: America's Changing Role in an Interconnected World
Chairs: Mohammad Elsayed, Danielle Calderone, and Nicole Ackerman
As we enter the “Web 2.0” era, information is becoming more readily accessible. Politicians, world leaders, critics, and entertainers are able to share their thoughts with a simple tweet, status message, or blog update. Smart phones are becoming ubiquitous, and anyone connected to the internet is able to into a vibrant world of knowledge and opinion. Never before has our society been so communicative.
The advances of technology and communications have allowed for new and unexpected channels of networking and interaction. Coming to grips with this changing reality, we realize that ideas are no longer confined to geographical boundaries. Our actions, as individuals and as a nation, have significant and widespread effects.
2009
A Transition Between Generations in a Changing America
Chairs: Danielle Fair, Michelle Harran, and Daniel Ingram
This nation is facing a transition – the emergence of a new perspective, the welcoming of a different mindset, and a rallying behind the idea of “change.” Over a decade ago, this Symposium sought to “Define Generation X,” and this year, we examine how our culture has since been transformed.
Everywhere we look – politics, the arts, medicine, pop culture – new leaders are stepping forward and a new generation is taking hold of a more global culture. Our world is more interconnected than ever and, with countless social networking technologies, everyone now has a voice.
How should we, as young leaders, examine and seek to understand this transition between generations? The Symposium will feature both emerging leaders of our generation and those who have been leading change all their lives and can now speak about the rise of a new set of ideas and ideals. We reflect on issues of national importance to better understand the challenges we face in a changing America.
Leadership theorists describe several characteristics of a transformational leader. That person must have charisma, be intelligent, have the ability to inspire and, most importantly, have a vision. It is up to you, a generation of leaders, to create and realize that vision.
2008
A More Perfect Union: Partnership, Progress & Prosperity
Chairs: Omar Atassi, Zachary Epstein-Peterson, Brian Kim, and Lily Seidel
2007
Renewing American Culture: The Perspectives that Shape our Identity
Chairs: Jon Bernhardt, Jonathan Collins, and Nora Krinitsky
2006
Finding Our Voice: The Role of America's Youth
2005
American Mass Media: Redefining the Democratic Landscape
2004
Rebuilding America: Peace and Prosperity at What Price?
2003
The Great American Experiment: a Juxtaposition of Capitalism and Democracy
1973
Living With Change
Former Speakers
The Symposium has a history of attracting some of the world’s most prominent leaders, politicians, artists, and scholars. Past MSE Symposium speakers include:[5]
- Jason Alexander
- Maya Angelou
- Aziz Ansari
- Sean Astin
- David Axelrod
- Michael Bloomberg
- Cory Booker
- Tucker Carlson
- Ben Carson
- Rubin “Hurricane” Carter
- Noam Chomsky
- Tom Clancy
- Ann Coulter
- Howard Dean
- Michael Dukakis
- Elizabeth Edwards
- Ruth Faden
- Will Ferrell
- Gerald Ford
- Buckminster Fuller
- Newt Gingrich
- Malcolm Gladwell
- Danny Glover
- David Alan Grier
- Christopher Hitchens
- David Horowitz
- Jon Huntsman, Jr.
- Jesse Jackson
- Rory Kennedy
- Nelson Mandela
- N. Gregory Mankiw
- Chris Matthews
- Eugene McCarthy
- Gail McGovern
- Seth Meyers
- Michael Moore
- Wes Moore
- Ralph Nader
- Edward James Olmos
- Ron Paul
- Charles Percy
- Craig Robinson
- Karl Rove
- Antonin Scalia
- Congressman Aaron Schock
- Michael Steele
- Jimmy Wales
- Dr. Ruth Westheimer
- Valerie Plame Wilson
- Bob Woodward
- Howard Zinn
References
- ↑ "History of the MSE Symposium". Johns Hopkins University.
- ↑ "The 2008 MSE Symposium at Johns Hopkins University". Johns Hopkins University.
- ↑ "MSE Staff". Johns Hopkins University.
- ↑ "Christofferson, Rosenblatt to share MSE position". Johns Hopkins University.
- ↑ "History of the MSE Symposium". Johns Hopkins University.