Speaker Series: October 2007

Special Thanks to all our Speakers! We couldn't have done it without you!

Fall 2007 speaker series:

• October 4: "Personal Reflections on the Spiritual Journey" with young adults Beth Ford and Eric Mamuzich
• October 11: "Getting Better Every Day" with Phil Martelli, head coach of Saint Joseph's University men's basketball
• October 18: LIVE Performance and spiritual discussion with the band REILLY, back by popular demand
• October 25: "The Just War Theory: An Insider's Perspective" with Retired Lt. Col. Bill Lademan, former U.S. Marine

Oct 4 : “Personal Reflections on the Spiritual Journey” with young adults Beth Ford and Eric Mamuzich.

Hear personal stories from two extraordinary young adults about how faith has impacted and empowered their lives and their leadership. Through a calling for personal service and through adversity that led to service, both Beth and Eric share a unique perspective on life, spirituality, and possibilities to achieve.

Beth Ford is a campus minister for community service and social justice programs at St. Joseph's University. Her life journey has taken her from Philadelphia Tanzania, East Africa where she served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps to Washington, D.C., where she completed graduated work in pastoral studies. She was, as the Jesuit Volunteers say, "ruined for life" by developing relationships with those marginalized by our society.

Eric Mamuzich is a young architect and student living and working in Philadelphia. In 2005, he underwent a powerful conversion experience through which he became a believer. Now all aspects of Eric's life are driven by faith and guided by spiritual principles. According to Eric, "life is great!" Join us to find out why!

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October 11 : "Getting Better Every Day" with Phil Martelli, head coach of Saint Joseph's University men's basketball.

In 12 years at Saint Joseph's, Phil Martelli has built a program that is consistently one of the top in the conference, a perennial post-season participant and a key player on the national scene, while earning his place among the top coaches in the school's storied history.

Martelli reached a significant milestone in 2006-07, when he recorded his 235th career victory, to surpass Hall of Famer Jack Ramsay for second place on the school's all-time list for wins. His 12-year career mark now stands at 240-139, while he ranks fourth in career winning percentage (.633) among SJU coaches. Setting the school record for wins in a season in 2004 (30), Martelli has guided SJU to 20 or more victories five times in 12 seasons. He is 123-69 in Atlantic 10 play, which is the most conference wins for any active coach in the A-10. Martelli has also been at his best when it counts the most as his 17 postseason wins (6 NCAA, 11 NIT) are the most in school history, ahead of Ramsay's 12. Martelli ranks first among Hawk coaches with a .680 postseason winning percentage (17-8) and has taken the Hawks to the postseason in six of the last seven years, and eight times in his 12 seasons.

Martelli is not only passionate for coaching, but also for his work in the community. He is one of the leaders of the Philadelphia chapter of Coaches vs. Cancer, as the coaches from the city's six Division I schools strive to raise awareness and funding to defeat the disease. The Philadelphia Coaches are one of the top fund-raising groups in the country and have dedicated themselves to taking it to an even higher level. He's received numerous honors for his community work, and was named the 2004 "Citizen of the Year" by the March of Dimes, inducted into the CYO Hall of Fame for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and honored by the National Adoption Center. His alma mater, Widener University, bestowed upon him an honorary doctorate in public service in May 2004, while he received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Cabrini College in May 2006.

[Read Phil Martelli's complete bio]

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October 18 : Reilly.
(Live performance with spiritual discussion)

If life had turned out differently, you might have heard REILLY’s front man John Reilly starring in the lead role in Broadway's Aladdin. Aside from obvious similarities between them (John’s dark hair and olive complexion can be credited to his half-Asian heritage), the two share an ability to charm themselves out of trouble (just ask John how he once sang himself out of a traffic ticket). But as God would have it, John’s life took the path of singer/songwriter and now he and REILLY have found themselves on an adventurous musical ride.

Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, Reilly's signature "symphonic-rock" has garnered them national recognition as one of America’s best independent bands. Vibrant violin riffs and electric guitar harmonize while soaring melodies carry the passion of John’s words. Accompanying John is the versatile violin duo of Dan and Noele Huie, bassist Matthew Bomberger, and drummer Kyle Thoman. The band’s engaging stage interaction opens a new world for listeners to become long-time fans. Off stage they are a team of hard working D.I.Y. entrepreneurs. Having booked sold out shows, opened for national acts (Newsboys, Jars of Clay), played huge festivals, created and implemented successful marketing plans, and recorded albums without the help of a record label, future success is no fairy tale for REILLY. Working with pop/rock producer Andy Hunt (Garrison Starr, Glen Phillips, Lorien), the band traveled down to Nashville and recorded 12 new songs. Their latest CD, Let June Decide (2007), captures the band’s musical and lyrical maturity while showcasing their inhibition to fuse the familiarity of pop rock with the sophistication of classical violin. Keep your ears and eyes open for REILLY. Maybe one day they’ll even end up on Broadway.

[Read more about the Reilly (on MySpace)]

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October 25: "The Just War: An Inside Perspective" with Retired Lt. Col. Bill Laderman, former U.S. Marine.

Just-war theory deals with the justification of how and why wars are fought. The justification can be either theoretical or historical. The theoretical aspect is concerned with ethically justifying war and forms of warfare. The historical aspect, or the “just war tradition” deals with the historical body of rules or agreements applied (or at least existing) in various wars across the ages. For instance international agreements such as the Geneva and Hague conventions are historical rules aimed at limiting certain kinds of warfare. It is the role of ethics to examine these institutional agreements for their philosophical coherence as well as to inquire into whether aspects of the conventions ought to be changed.

Join us as Retired Lt. Col. Bill Lademan explores the "Just-War Theory" from an insider's perspective. What does a "just-war" mean for the solidiers who fight it? How and where do Christian values intersect with the act and acts of war?

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