February 22, 2008

News from the Villages

Popular SJSU Professor speaks to Democratic Club

Dr. Terry Christensen

Dr. Terry Christensen, Ph.D., professor, political science, San Jose State University, analyzed the Super Tuesday primary election and shared his thoughts on the upcoming November election.

He spoke to members and guests of the Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages. Dr. Christensen, who in 1998 was named SJSJ’s Outstanding Professor and is the author of several books, is currently writing a new edition of "Local Politics: Governing at the Grassroots." (Photo by Thom Harney.)

Retired professor of religious studies speaks to Democratic Club

Dr. Benton J. White

Dr. Benton J. White, retired Professor of Religious Studies at San Jose State University met with members and guests of the Evergreen Democratic Club at the Villages. Dr. White spoke about "The Evangelical Agenda–A Christian Nation?" and cited many examples of how the interplay between religion and politics has influenced the history of the United States.

Dr. White, a United Methodist minister and a former chaplain in the U.S, Air Force, founded the Religious Studies Program at San Jose State University in 1970. (Photo by Thom Harney.)

Speech contest winners honored

(Pictured, left to right) Speech contest winners Bao Dong (Senior, Independence High School), Megan Gage (Freshman, Evergreen Valley High School), Melba Mathew (Senior, Evergreen Valley High School), Ariana Urrea (Senior Oak Grove High School), and Jacob Sanchez, (Senior, Piedmont Hills High School) show off their Rotary Certificates.

In this Club Contest Round of the "Richard D. King Annual Youth Speech Contest," each student was to choose any topic of interest, as long as the content of the speech related to the 2007–2008 Rotary year theme, "Rotary Shares: Investing in the Future" and included at least one principle of the Rotary.

Megan Gage was awarded the "First Place Certificate" and $100, and will now compete in the Rotary Area Contest on Mar. 3 at the Milpitas Rotary Club. Melba Mathew was awarded the "Second Place Certificate" and $50. Bao Dong was awarded the "Third Place Certificate" and $25. Ariana Urrea was awarded a Certificate of Merit. Jacob Sanchez was awarded a Certificate of Merit.

This S.J.E/E. Rotary Club Contest was under the direction of club members Ruth Ashford and Nick Leon. (Photo and Caption by Thom Harney.)