The Student-Led Production Opens a Dialogue on Important Political Issues.
Bethlehem, Pa. — March 28, 2018 — PBS39 has partnered with Lehigh University’s Global Citizenship program to host “Finding Our Common Thread: Tackling Political Apathy,” a three part series that discusses current political topics that affect society. The program will address industry and economic globalization, the refugee crisis and migration, and LGBTQ rights and gender equality.
Lehigh University’s Global Citizenship program prepares students for engaged living in a culturally diverse and rapidly changing world. Emphasizing critical analysis and value reflection, the program structures educational experiences through which students learn to negotiate international boundaries and develop their own sense of personal, social, and corporate responsibility to the global community.
“Working with the Lehigh students in bringing their conversations from concept-to-screen has been a wonderful experience,” said Matt Lewis, PBS39’s Education Media Specialist. “I’m so proud of the work the students from Lehigh University have done on this project. Conversations, like the one’s they are facilitating, are important to have in our community – and PBS39 is thrilled to host such an event.”
The “Finding Our Common Thread” series will be taped at the PPL Public Media Center in front of a live studio audience. Lehigh Students, Sydney O’Tapi and Angie Rizzo, will co-host the series alongside PBS39 reporter and host, Tracy Yatsko.Tickets will be available to the public at no cost and seating is very limited. Doors open at 5pm. Attendees will participate in break out sessions and group discussions as part of this event.
The first episode covers industry and economic globalization. Joining the panel for this discussion will be Vera Fennell, Associate Professor in Lehigh University’s Department of Political Science, Alicia Miller Karner, Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development in the City of Bethlehem, and John Kenly Smith, Associate Professor of History at Lehigh University. Taping will be held on Wednesday, April 4 at 6pm and will air the following Wednesday, April 11 at 6pm.
The second episode addresses the refugee crisis and migration. Joining the panel for this discussion will be Sarah Fouts, Postdoctoral Fellow at Lehigh University in Latin American and Latino Studies, Javier Toro, and Dr. Sarah Stanlick, founding director of Lehigh’s Center for Community Engagement. Taping for this episode will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at 6pm and will air the following Wednesday, April 25 at 6pm.
The third and final episode the students will discuss LGBTQ rights and gender equity. Joining the panel for this discussion will be Scott Burden, Rita Jones, Ph. D., Director of the Center for Gender Equity at Lehigh University, and Adrian Shanker, Executive Director of Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center. Taping for this episode will be held on Wednesday, April 25 at 6pm and will air the following Wednesday, May 2 at 6pm.
For more information please contact Matt Lewis at mlewis@wlvt.org.
About PBS39
PBS39 is a community-owned public television station licensed to Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, Pa., serving eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. PBS39 is owned and operated by the Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation. PBS39 acts as the catalyst to promote civic engagement, and to fulfill the regional needs of the Greater Lehigh Valley through its dynamic communication platforms and resources. For more information, visit wlvt.org.
Information Provided By:
Tyler Winston
PR & Marketing Coordinator
PBS39
