By Sheryl Swingley—
MUNCIE, IN—“Government Intrusion, Free Speech and Academic Freedom: Dangerous Professors in the Hoosier State” will be the topic of a public meeting of the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 4800 W. Bradford Drive.
Admission is free.
George Wolfe, professor Emeritus at Ball State University who was once listed among the “101 most dangerous academics in America,” will be the speaker. During his four-year tenure as Ball State’s director of the Peace Center, 2002- 2006, he was accused of being anti-American and supporting terrorism while teaching a class in the history and philosophy of nonviolence.
Former Ball State Provost Beverly Pitts and former Ball State President Jo Ann Gora defended Wolfe’s academic freedom, especially when it was revealed that the charges made against him were false.
“The attacks on American universities and the United State Institute for Peace by the Trump Administration are examples of history being ‘in rhyme’ with what happened in Indiana 21 years ago when Peace Studies at Ball State University was accused of being anti-American,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe retired from the Ball State School of Music after 32 years of service. In 2018, he was the Indiana Green Party candidate for secretary of state. His book, “The Spiritual Power of Nonviolence: Interfaith Understanding for a Future without War,” has been endorsed by Arun Gandhi and University of California at Los Angeles peace educator Michael Nagler.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, public policy and educational organization. It encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. It does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The League of Women Voters Education Fund and local Leagues work to register and inform voters through the election resources of VOTE411.org, https://www.vote411.org/, and candidate forums.
People of all different governing beliefs are eligible to join local chapters of the League of Women Voters. No invitation is needed. To join the Muncie-Delaware County League, go to this site, https://www.lwvmunciedelaware.org/.
