STAYING AFLOAT IN THE LIFE RAFT DEBATE
1 BOAT | 8 DISCIPLINES | WHO MAKES THE CUT?
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Winner of the Life Raft Debate, Chuck Pazdernik of Classics
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It is 2012, and the world has ended. There is one life raft prepared to take a select group to safety, and there is only one vacant seat. First featured on NPR’s This American Life, the Life Raft Debate asked a professor or department chair from each respective major to justify why their discipline would be the most vital in post-apocalyptic rebuilding.
Grand Valley State University’s Ola Nwabara and Ralf Hugger from Liberal Studies brought together eight disciplines at 6 p.m. Monday night under Cook DeWitt’s roof to duke it out for the final spot on the hypothetical life raft in GVSU’s very own Life Raft Debate 2011. In the end, the Classics department ended up winning the final seat on the raft.
Using three elimination rounds, the Life Raft Debate started out by giving each discipline five minutes to plead their case. Five finalists were chosen by audience applause power for the second round.
The second round – or the devil’s advocate round – asked finalists compare and contrast their discipline with those of other finalists and to advocate against their rival disciplines. Then, fueled by audience-posed questions, two final disciplines went head to head in a final, fate-deciding debate.
From sex, beer and cannibalism to the creativity of art and design as a vehicle for humanity, disciplines argued their cases with overwhelming feedback from the packed audience.
Elena Passarello, visiting professor to the Department of Writing, came in a close second by using sex jokes and the emotional appeal of the written word to win over the student-based audience. But in the end, Charles Pazdernik, chair of the Department of Classics, secured his discipline’s spot into the new world by using the wisdom of the Greeks and Roman to justify his survival.
“The Greeks and Romans pose big questions about what it means to be human beings and to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives,” he said.
Among the other panelists were Ed Aboufadel from mathematics, Amy Russell from natural biology, Kelly Parker from philosophy, James Greene from art and design, Kirsten Bartels from liberal studies and the sustainability initiative’s Bart Bartels.
“The presenters all did more than justice to their respective disciplines, and honestly it was just about impossible to gauge the applause from one to another,” Pazdernik said. “The Life Raft Debate format provides a framework for considering those questions in an original and compelling way. It’s wonderful when students engage with them and respond to them, and that’s what happened on Monday night.”
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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