Past Programs

International Students from Utah Tech University share  thoughts and experiences on their lives in the U.S., coordinated by Hans de Haan and Shadman Bashir, Executive Director, Office of International Programs at Utah Tech University.

Janice Brooks--who served as the Chairwoman of the Utah Humanities Council, as a governing board member for Intermountain Healthcare St. George Regional Hospital, on the IHC Ethics Committee and numerous other local and national organizations--will present this program.

The Insect Crisis is a Human Crisis, presented by Shaunna Goldberry.

Susan Ann Stauffer, PhD, shares her experience as a social worker at the DOVE Center (a safe-shelter providing crisis intervention and prevention for clients who have been victimized by violence in their home) in the context of her application of principles and techniques from the book “Post Traumatic Growth in Clinical Practice” by Lawrence G. Calhoun and Richard G. Tedeschi. She uses the metaphor of the toughest substance in existence—a diamond—in describing the innate soul-quality at the core of every

person, and how this can help clients heal in their struggle after trauma through a process of post traumatic growth.

LuAnn Lundquist, founder of Memory Matters Utah, presents a program on services provided through Memory Matters along with an update on Alzheimer’s research. In this forum, LuAnn focuses on brain health, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and exercise, addresses legal and financial issues that impact older adults, and provides helpful resources.

Presented by Thomas (Tom) Fleischner, Ph.D., Senior Advisor and Director Emeritus of the Natural History Institute located in Prescott, AZ. Tom taught environmental science at the college level, authored 4 books as well as numerous articles and book chapters. (He was raised as a UU, with a strong respect for the web of Life.)

Linda and Steve Stay are the parents of two children who “came out”. They grew through their family’s experiences and supported the development of Equality Utah, the statewide 501c(3) LGBTQ civil rights and advocacy organization.

Dr. Tasha Toy is Assistant Vice President and Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Dixie State University (Utah Tech University).  She spoke of the importance of MLK Day--that greater than 20% of the student body is non-white, and that issues of inclusion are significant for students (as well as for others) who may be “invisible” in the community.

David Chernikoff, M.Div., LCSW, has worked as the education and training director of the Spiritual Eldering Institute, a conscious aging program later renamed Sage-ing International. David shared reflections on his own aging journey (he is now 72), and through professional experience, stories, examples, and Buddhist teachings, he spoke of awakening with purpose and joy as we age with grace and acceptance.

Rev. Tom Goldsmith, recently retired as the principal minister at First Unitarian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah where he served for over 30 years, offers thought-provoking observations and poses questions challenging us to live a heart-felt existence with awareness.  He draws in science, philosophy, psychology, history and a little humor in this service.

Linda Stay, Development Director at Switchpoint, provided an overview of the current and new resources, activities provided through Switchpoint residential shelter, new residential detox treatment center, and affiliated resources including the Food Bank,  job training, Thrift and Boutique stores, Bed N Biscuits (dog and cat boarding), Small Engine Repair, and affordable housing (w/ additional services in development).

Hafiz Muhammad Ajmal Saleem is a foreign student (senior medical student in his home country of Pakistan) and was here for the fall semester at DSU on a special government program. He enjoyed learning about the U.S and was quite interested in understanding other religions.