CCIT Explores Community Trauma in First of ‘Rice on the Road’ Series

The Center for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CCIT) is taking its Monsignor Owen Rice Lecture Series on the road this semester, hosting off-campus community excursions that will feature mobile panels and on-site conversation with neighborhood leaders, residents, entrepreneurs, legislators, faculty and students.

This innovative, five-part lecture series will explore social justice issues in partner communities, Hazelwood and the Hill District. The new approach is intended to facilitate a dialogue among community partners, residents and local leaders with the staff, faculty and students of Duquesne.

According to Dr. Darlene Weaver, director of the CCIT, the idea was to present a lecture series that not only focused on good social stewardship, but paid out in greater dividends of learning. “We are really excited to offer participants the opportunity to experience the special role of community-engaged scholarship in a Spiritan context while encouraging awareness, education and responsible action for justice,” said Weaver.

Each excursion will include transportation, food, a neighborhood tour and panel discussions. The series kicks off on Monday, Feb. 18, with Exploring Community Trauma: A Deliberative Dialogue from noon to 2 p.m. at the Thelma Lovette YMCA in the Hill District.

Future topics include:

• Women Building Communities on Monday, Feb. 25
• August Wilson’s Hill District on Thursday, March 21
• Educational Justice in the Hazelwood Context on Friday, March 22.

This Rice on the Road series will conclude on Tuesday, April 2, with a closing dialogue  on campus. All events are free and open to the public. For more information and to register, please visit the CCIT’s website or call 412.396.1595.