The Global Health Program at West Virginia University Health Science Center hosted its annual Global Health Day event on October 24,2014. PSALM seniors were the keynote speakers along with WVU Law Professor Arthur Rizer. Junior PSALM students set up an information table at the Health Science Center and made presentations to visitors.
The presentation titled, “Landmines…Perspectives From the Field”, consisted of lectures on the devastation caused by landmines around the world from different perspectives. PSALM/WVCBL discussed landmines and their effects on civilians, specifically children. WVU Law Professor, Arthur Rizer discussed his experiences with landmines and IEDs as a soldier and why they should be banned from a lawyers perspective.
The Objectives of our presentation:
- To educate the public about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster munitions as they relate to victims who are children.
- To educate the public about the devastating injuries caused by landmines from a soldier’s perspective.
- To emphasize the importance of mine clearance and victim assistance.
- To emphasize the importance of banning these weapons.
PSALM students have attended this program for the past 6 years.This opportunity to make presentations to WVU medical and the University community allows us to fulfill our mission of raising awareness and gives the students experience in public speaking and expressing their Gospel values.
Before joining the faculty at WVU Law, Prof. Rizer worked at the United States Department of Justice for nine years as a trial attorney. His most recent assignment at DOJ was as a prosecutor in the Criminal Division. Before law school, Rizer served in the U.S. Army as an Armor and Military Police officer. He was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, where he helped train the Iraqi Army to fight the insurgency and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart after an IED attack in which he was injured and 16 of his fellow soldiers were killed.
Students attending:
Matthew and Nick Ogershok, Jack Hudson, Robbie Minard, Daphne Barretto, Eric Pifer, Ethan and Abby Price, Abby Richter, Berit Johnson, Elijah Mccarty (PSALM Seniors) and Jacob Stupar, Lexi Swierkos, Kerrington Peasak,Christina Basara, Juanita Garcia, Ava Biafore, Ethan McAlister, Margaret Deely, Matthew Bolling, Marissa Fijewski, Grant Wilson, Claire Metz, Eleni Orphanos and Dake Lasala.
Next up for PSALM: Morgantown City Council and the Mayor will honor the students for their work with a city proclamation on Tuesday, November 18th.
Many thanks to PSALM supporters/parents and chaperones for their help!