Keynote Presentations:

Daniel Weddle

Friday Lunch Keynote Speaker

“What Did Jesus Do?:  Answering Religious Conservatives Who Oppose Bullying Prevention Legislation”

Daniel Weddle is a Clinical Professor of Law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where he teaches education law, higher education law, Constitutional law, and various writing courses.  He also directs UMKC’s academic support programs. Professor Weddle also serves on the board of directors for the International Bullying Prevention Association.

A former high school teacher and administrator and former assistant dean of UMKC’s School of Education, Professor Weddle has focused his research on issues in educational law, especially those concerning violence and bullying in schools.  His most recent published works include What Did Jesus Do?: Answering Religious Conservatives Who Oppose Bullying Prevention Legislation; You’re on Your Own, Kid – But You Shouldn’t Be; Brutality and Blindness:  Bullying in Schools and Negligent Supervision by School Officials; and the book, OUR PROMISE:  ACHIEVING EDUCATIONAL EQUALITY FOR AMERICA’S CHILDREN (Maurice Dyson & Daniel B. Weddle, eds.) (2009).

Professor Weddle is now focusing his attention on bullying in higher education and, in partnership with Dr. Jeff Traiger of UMKC, recently completed an empirical study of bullying in the law school context, the results of which will be published this spring.

Law Scholars Panel

Following the presentation from Daniel Weddle

Susan Hanley Duncan is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development and Associate Professor of Law at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law.  The Louisville Bar Association recently awarded the 2010 Distinguished Service Award to Dean Duncan. Dean Duncan's scholarship has focused primarily on the issues surrounding children, including the need for anti-bullying laws and laws protecting children from pornography on the Internet.  Dean Duncan recently published Restorative Justice and Bullying:  A Missing Solution in the Anti-Bullying Laws in the New England Journal on Civil & Criminal Confinement.  Dean Duncan received her undergraduate degree from Miami University and her juris doctor from the University of Louisville.

Susan Harthill is a Professor of Law at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville.  She is a former Special Counsel at Steptoe & Johnson, LLP in Washington, DC, specializing in employment and ERISA litigation.  Her scholarship focuses on workplace bullying.  She recently published an article with the Hastings Journal of International & Comparative Law, Workplace Bullying as an Occupational Safety and Health Matter:  A Comparative Analysis.  Prof. Harthill received her undergraduate degree from the University of Leeds in Bristol, England and her juris doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Jihan S. Yacoub is a Deputy District Attorney for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Currently working in the Superior Court Division. She graduated from California Western School of Law in December 2010 and passed the State of California Bar Examination in May 2011. As a new lawyer she began working with San Diego County’s Juvenile Division.  While at the Juvenile Division, she handled numerous trials and motions.

@urFRENZ - Movie Screening at Folino Theater

Friday Evening Community Event

"@urFRENZ", written and directed by Chapman Professor Jeff Phillips and produced by Jana Winternitz, is a realistic drama about the lives of teens, their families and the draw and discord of social networking sites. When depressed and withdrawn Catharine (Lily Holleman) meets a secretive boy online, she begins to come out of her shell. But is he a suitor or a stalker, a friend or foe? The questions surrounding his existence fuel obsession, denial and deceit among families and friends sending them headlong into a point of no return. 

"@urFRENZ" was inspired by Jeff Phillips' own experience in parenting his teenage daughter in today's cyberspace filled world. The film serves as a talking point on the subject of bullying and cyberbullying, one of the biggest issues between parents and teens today.

Visit the official "@urFRENZ" website to view the trailer.

Mara Sapon-Shevin, Ph.D. - Professor of Inclusive Education at Syracuse University

Saturday Morning Keynote

Learning to Resist: Becoming Active Allies in Challenging Bullying and Oppression

Bullying is a manifestation of underlying patterns of oppression and marginalization within our schools and society. Learning to become active allies and teaching students to become "upstanders" rather than bystanders involves an understanding of some of the root system of bullying, including racism, homophobia, classism and disability oppression. This presentation will examine some of the underlying structures which maintain and support bullying and other forms of mistreatment, analyze the challenges involved in changing systems, and share examples of curriculum, pedagogy and school practices which can be used to create welcoming, accepting school climates for all students.

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

Saturday Lunch Keynote

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez represents the California's 47th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Fullerton in Orange County. She began her congressional career in January 1997 and is currently serving her eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Sanchez is a member of the Task Force on Oversight and Regulatory Review and she is also a member of the New Democratic Coalition's Task Forces on Innovation, Competitiveness, and Tax Reform and Education.  She is a recognized leader on military and national security issues, as well as the third highest ranking Democrat and the most senior female member on the Armed Services Committee. When Congresswoman Sanchez is at home in Orange County, some of the most important work she does is on behalf of our local schools. Since taking office, she has made multiple visits to each and every public school in the 47th Congressional District and has learned first-hand what Orange County's schools really need-more teachers, classrooms, and resources.

Lt. Dan Choi

Saturday Evening Community Event

Truth and Consequences: One Man's Quest to Openly Serve His Country

On March 19, 2009, Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Iraq veteran fluent in Arabic, announced that he was gay on The Rachel Maddow Show. Because of three words – “I am gay” – Lt. Choi’s life changed forever.

Choi became an advocate for full LGBT civil rights and veteran's health as well as the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He has served as Grand Marshal of the San Francisco, New York City, Miami and Wichita LGBT Pride Parades, appeared frequently on national and international news programs, and serves on the boards of Marriage Equality USA and the American Foundation for Equal Rights. He is a graduate of the US Army Scout Leaders Course, Air Assault School, Parachutist School and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Harvard University.