Jan. 16, 2013 – If women arguably have more choices today than they did in 1962, then why does Utah have fewer women than men in college, and trail the nation for graduating female students?
This and other thorny questions will be posed to diverse groups of accomplished Utah women over the next three months, through a series of panel discussions being arranged by the University of Utah’s Honors College, which is marking its 50th year of creative, engaged learning.
“Women have considerably more options today, and yet they still face decisions that not only affect their personal lives, but impact their community and society at large,” says Sylvia Torti, dean of the U’s Honors College. “We are convening these panels to call on the experience, expertise and creativity of successful women in Utah to help today’s students find new ways to approach on-going issues.”
The first panel will pose an interdisciplinary challenge to participants Jerilyn McIntyre, academic administrator; Lori Feld, advertising executive; Terrell Dougan, author and humorist; and Jennifer Folkerson, community program manager. In this unique format, the participants are asked to address personal challenges and provocative questions, responding during the session with their own life experiences.
“We expect the women will engage the audience with on-the-spot, real-world problem solving,” says Torti. “We hope the opportunity to mix experience and ideas may create new paths for women’s individual choices about their education, family and careers.”
The inaugural panel on Thursday, Jan. 24 will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Marriott Honors Community, 250 South Mario Capecchi Drive on the campus of the University of Utah. Four others will follow, including one focusing on issues specific to women pursuing an education and career in the medical field, another on challenges for female students in Utah and across the nation, and the final panel, which will be part of the annual University of Utah Women’s Week events on March 28. All panels are open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. The full schedule follows:
| Date | Panelists | Time | Location |
| Jan. 24, 2013 | Former U interim presidentLori Feld, managing director, McCann WorldgroupTerrell Dougan, author, humor columnist and community activistJennifer Folkerson, community program manager, Ken Garff Road to Success | 7-8 p.m. | Marriott Honors Community |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | Karen Crompton, president/CEO, Voices for Utah ChildrenPeggy Battin, distinguished professor of philosophy; U honors facultyKate Kopischke, senior mediator, RESOLVEGretchen Dietrich, director, Utah Museum of Fine Arts | 12-1 p.m. | Marriott Library |
| Feb. 21, 2013 | Dr. Harriet Hopf, Professor and Vice Chair/Anesthesiology and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Utah School of Medicine Kirtly P. Jones, U vice chair for educational affairs, Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyWendy Matis, dermatologist, private practice | 7-8 p.m. | Marriott Honors Community |
| Mar. 7, 2013 | Siciliano ForumBarb Snyder, U vice president for Student AffairsMartha Bradley, associate VP for Academic Affairs, U dean of undergraduate studiesCecelia Foxley, commissioner emerita, Utah System of Higher Education | 12-1 p.m. | Hinckley Caucus Room at the Hinckley Institute |
| Mar. 28, 2013 | Women’s WeekKaren Hale, director of communications for Salt Lake City Mayor ‘s OfficeJanice Ugaki, president, FirmseekGina Zivcovik, community activistPatrice Arent, Utah State Representative, Jerilyn McIntyre, president emerita of Central Washington University |
7-8 p.m. | Marriott Honors Community |
ABOUT THE HONORS COLLEGE
The Honors College at the University of Utah promotes an enriched academic environment for talented and highly motivated students. The college is a community of excellence that fosters values of social responsibility, inclusiveness and academic quality. Honors students, faculty and community members share a love of learning, the desire for excellence, and an engagement in the world of ideas. More about the Honors College including how to apply is available online at http://honors.utah.edu.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH:
The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Range, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves more than 32,000 students from across the United States and the world. With more than 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law and medicine, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. Learn more about all the U has to offer online at http://www.utah.edu.