“Faith, Politics and Poverty: Social Innovation and Hope in America” Topic of 2017 Endowed Drumwright Lecture
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WACO, Texas (Nov. 7, 2017) – Baylor University’s Honors College will host the eighth annual endowed Drumwright Family Lecture at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in Alexander Reading Room, Alexander Residence Hall, 1413 S. Seventh St.
The event will be a panel conversation, moderated by Thomas Hibbs, Ph.D., dean of the Honors College and Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Culture, on solution models for addressing the problems of hunger and poverty in communities. Three panel members from a variety of fields will discuss their expertise in the realm of poverty relief:
- Heather Reynolds, president and CEO of Fort Worth-based Catholic Charities
- Robert Doar, Resident Fellow and Morgridge Fellow in Poverty Studies at the American Enterprise Institute
- Jeremy Everett, M.Div. ’01, founder and executive director of Texas Hunger Initiative at Baylor University
Reynolds leads nearly CCFW 400 employees and serves tens of thousands each year through its diverse services, poverty solutions and income-generating social enterprises. She acts as the national advisor to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, and was awarded the Benemerenti Medal in 2011 from Pope Benedict XVI, which is the highest honor a layperson can receive in the Catholic Church. In 2014, Reynolds was invited to Capitol Hill by Congressman Paul Ryan to provide testimony on poverty reform.
Doar has served as a co-chair of the National Commission on Hunger and as a lead member of the AEI-Brookings Working Group on Poverty and Opportunity, which published the report entitled “Opportunity, Responsibility, and Security: A Consensus Plan for Reducing Poverty and Restoring the American Dream.” His research focuses on how improved federal and state anti-poverty policies and safety net programs can reduce poverty, connect individuals to work, strengthen families and increase opportunities for low-income Americans and their children.
Everett leads THI, which partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas state agencies and numerous faith- and community-based organizations to develop and implement strategies to alleviate hunger through research, policy analysis, education and community organizing. Through the work of eight regional offices and staff members working with these coalitions, hundreds of millions of additional meals have been served to Texans since 2009. THI also consults with more than 25 other states on implementation strategies. Everett serves on the Baptist World Alliance’s Commission on Social and Economic Justice, the Aspen Institute’s dialogue on U.S. Food Security and Healthcare Costs and, along with Doar, as a congressionally appointed member of the National Commission on Hunger.
The Drumwright Lecture Series is endowed by Minette Drumwright Pratt, BA ’51, who served on Baylor’s Board of Regents from 1999-2008. The event is free and open to the public, with a reception following the discussion.
To learn more, visit the Honors College website.
by Brooke Battersby, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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