Sweet Briar Joins ‘Science Debate 2008’

SUZANNE RAMSEY
College relations staff writer

Sweet Briar College, along with its president, Elisabeth Muhlenfeld, has joined Science Debate 2008, a grassroots initiative that calls for a debate by the 2008 presidential candidates on science and technology issues, including climate change, stem cell research and space exploration, among others.

On its Web site, the group states, “We believe these scientific and technology policy challenges can bring out the best in the entrepreneurial spirit. America can be a leader in finding cures for our worst diseases, inventing the best alternative energy sources, and graduating the most scientifically literate children in the world — or we can concede these economic and humanitarian benefits to other countries.”

The project was started by Shawn Lawrence Otto, one of the screenwriters and co-producer of the 2003 film, “House of Sand and Fog.” On Jan. 11, Otto spoke about the initiative on National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation.”

So far, thousands of individuals, including Nobel laureates, scientists, college and university presidents, members of Congress and business leaders, and dozens of organizations have officially supported the effort. Sweet Briar College and Muhlenfeld are among them.

After signing on, Muhlenfeld joined other higher education, science and technology leaders by contributing a statement to the group’s Web site. To read her statement, visit Science Debate 2008.