A leading Australian theologian and academic at Charles Sturt University (CSU) has been awarded an honorary doctorate by another national university. Reverend Professor James Haire, AM, KSJ, who is Professor of Theology at CSU and executive director of the CSU Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) , received the Doctor of the University from the Australian Catholic University in Sydney at its recent graduation ceremony. The citation for the honorary degree noted that Reverend Professor Haire is one of the world’s leading scholars and promoters of interfaith dialogue. It concludes, ‘Australia is indebted to James for his work in encouraging understanding between not only the Christian churches, but between people of different faiths’. Reverend Professor Haire also delivered the occasional address to graduates, and spoke of the need for them to be compassionate and generous in their personal and professional lives. “My experience is that, on balance, unless there is obvious evil, it is worth taking the risk to be generous. If you are generous, you give and you expect trust, and it is trust that is both the Christian way, and in any case makes life worth living,” he said.

With children counting down the days until Easter, Charles Sturt University (CSU) Dental and Oral Health Clinic  dentist Dr Ying Shi Chang asks parents to remember the importance of children’s teeth. “Everyone loves indulging in some chocolate at Easter time,” says Dr Chang, “but it’s also a good time to book in a dental check-up for the family.” Dr Chang recommends parents make the most of the CSU Dental and Oral Health Clinic. “The Clinic is large, colourful and friendly so it’s perfect for young children. As well as professional dentists, third year Bachelor of Dental Science students are available to clean children’s teeth and teach the importance of regular brushing and flossing.” To book an appointment at the CSU Dental and Oral Health Clinic call 1300 278 642.

A controversial figure in the Australian legal sector will speak on ‘Public education and the third great principle of secularism’ in the 2011 Bob Meyenn Lecture next week at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Albury-Wodonga. The former Australian High Court judge, the Honourable Michael Kirby, AC, CMG, will appeal for the traditional place of secularism in Australian public schools, and the protection it offers children who have no religion as well as those who are members of a religion. This year’s Bob Meyenn Lecture will commence at 7pm on Thursday 28 April in the CD Blake Lecture Theatre, off Elizabeth Mitchell Drive, Thurgoona. The annual major public lecture is named after Professor Bob Meyenn, the former inaugural Dean of CSU’s Faculty of Education.

The 25th Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst Half-Marathon and 10 kilometre Run will be staged on Sunday 1 May. Lecturer at the School of Human Movement Studies in Bathurst,  Mr Peter Micalos, said, “The half-marathon and 10 kilometre run  are staged over a flat, fast course on pathways and country lanes around the Macquarie River, and starts and finishes at the Bathurst Rugby Club in Hereford Street. All runners should ensure an adequate carbohydrate diet and be appropriately hydrated before the event.” The entry fee is $30 or $15 for students, and includes a free sausage sizzle at the presentation, and random-draw prizes.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Dubbo will celebrate its scholarship and prizes ceremony on Tuesday 3 May, with special recognition of the Indyamarra Scholarship program, which is celebrating its 10th year. “Over the past nine years more than $38,000 has been awarded to Indigenous students from regional NSW who have a desire to work in areas that benefit the Indigenous community,” said CSU Head of Campus, Dubbo, Dr Beverley Moriarty. Three new scholarships will be awarded this year, including two Tony McGrane Scholarships and the Macquarie Matrons Scholarship. “Charles Sturt University students can benefit financially thanks to more than 40 scholarships on offer every year. A large number of these scholarships are funded by individuals or organisations that hold a strong belief in supporting the University and its students.”

Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) researchers and lecturers at the CSU School of Biomedical Sciences,  Dr James Crane and Dr Andrew Delaney, will explore the nature of human emotions when they present a two-part public lecture, ‘The Emotional Brain’, at CSU in Bathurst on Tuesday 3 May. Dr Crane will examine the research questions that have fascinated psychologists and neuroscientists for more than 100 years; ‘what are emotions?’ and ‘how does the brain generate an emotion?’. “I will discuss the early anatomical research that uncovered the brain regions involved, and the more recent advances made in tracing the neuronal pathways, some of which are involved in generating the emotional response to pain,” Dr Crane said. Dr Delaney will discuss how emotion is an integral aspect of pain. “I will highlight the current research Dr Crane and I are doing to address how the emotional circuits of the brain are activated during a painful experience, and how changes in these circuits might contribute to the high rate of depression and anxiety in sufferers of chronic pain,” Dr Delaney said.

A philosophical play written and directed by two Charles Sturt University (CSU) acdemics will have a second performance on Thursday 28 April due to popular demand as part of the current Greek Festival in Sydney. The play, Wise After the Fact, is by Dr Edward Spence, and is directed by Mr Ray Harding, both lecturers at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst. “Wise After the Fact examines the origins and development of Wisdom in ancient Greece, and juxtaposes this with the dilemmas confronting individuals and society in the present Age of Information,” Dr Spence said. “I also discuss philosophy with the audience, and the first performance (on 14 April) was so successful the festival organisers invited us to return.”

Three months working with traumatised children in a developing country has given a Charles Sturt University (CSU) social work graduate a new perspective on life. Ms Rhonda Emonson, from Albury, will be among the first four graduates of the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying). As part of her postgraduate studies at CSU, Ms Emonson worked with orphans on the island of Negros Occidental, west of the Philippines. “We’ve all heard about communities that survive without sewerage, electricity, shelter, and on a cup of rice a day,” she said. “To live in these circumstances is heartbreaking yet inspirational.” She said the international work placement has been a highlight of her studies. “It’s created a yearning to work with those who have so few resources and struggle to survive from day to day as a result of poverty and lack of infrastructure,” she said. The Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) allows students with a prior degree to gain professional accreditation with the Australian Association of Social Workers. Read more about the six graduation ceremonies at CSU in Wagga Wagga from Wednesday 30 March to Friday 1 April 2011.

A public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Friday night 29 April will explore the creation and use of a range of technology and computer-generated images in modern film, television and other media. Mr Andrew Hagan, lecturer in animation and visual effects at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries will discuss ‘Making the imaginary real: Revealing insights into the mysterious world of animation and visual effects’. The Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Professor Kevin Parton, said the free public lecture is open to members of the community and will provide insights into both the technology and career opportunities. The CSU Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects) is the only Bachelor degree in Australia dedicated to the art of animation and visual effects. The public lecture starts at 6pm Friday 29 April in Lecture Theatre 3 at CSU in Orange.