Thiel College community members attend Eradicate Hate Summit in Pittsburgh

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Faculty and staff members were joined by students in the Crimes Against Humanity course taught by Professor of History Sheila Nowinski, Ph.D. at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh recently.

The event began with keynote speakers CBS News Correspondent Major Elliott Garrett and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords as well as panels of researchers, practitioners and activists working to combat the spread of hate-fueled violence and rhetoric. The Summit was held at the David Lawrence Convention center on Oct. 22. A networking lunch featured speakers sharing a variety of hate-dismantling tools, like one that tracks hate speech across a variety of social media platforms. After lunch students attended breakout sessions, each with a specific focus regarding the resolution of worldwide hate. Giffords served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona’s 8th congressional district until January 2012, when she resigned because of a severe brain injury suffered during an assassination attempt.

Thiel College honorary degree recipient Laura Ellsworth, J.D. H’24 and alumnus and Trustee emeritus Mark A. Nordenberg, J.D. ’70 H’97 co-chair the Eradicate Hate Global Summit. The Summit, which gathers international experts in Pittsburgh, addresses the prevalence of anti-Semitism, hate speech, and violent extremism. Ellsworth’s dedication to service has also been recognized with the 2018 Coleman Award for excellence in community service from the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute of Politics.

“Going to the Summit, really opened my eyes to how complicated the world really is,” sophomore business administration major Ireland Anderson ’27 said. “Eradicating Hate has many different layers to it.”

“One of the most powerful moments of the Summit was witnessing a sea of people rise to give Congresswoman Gabby Giffords a standing ovation as she took the stage to speak about the darkest day of her life, and her recovery,” sophomore history and secondary education major Siera Bumbas ’27 said.

“Being able to see the amount of people who came to the summit really gave me hope on what we could do for the future,” sophomore history major Luca DiRienzo ’27 said.

Nordenberg and Ellsworth were recognized by Pittsburgh’s Rodef Shalom Congregation with the esteemed Pursuer of Peace Award this summer for their work with the Eradicate Hate Summit.

The Pursuer of Peace Award, given by the Rodef Shalom Congregation, the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in Western Pennsylvania, acknowledges significant contributions to peace through fostering interfaith understanding, encouraging humanitarianism, and promoting social justice.

Related Links

• Department of History
• Thiel College Board of Trustees

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