Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers

Two athletes from different eras: Erin Sones Borchard (Poly '97), an NCAA and AAU champion platform diver from Stanford in the 1990s discussed ethics in sports. She explained the political nature of scoring and team selection in the American diving world and the pressures and expections of coaches at the collegiate level. Louis Zamperini finished 8th in the 5000 meters at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. He then had his collegiate track career at USC interrupted by World War 2, where he survived a plane crash and 47 days floating on a life-raft in the Central Pacific only to land on a Japanese-occupied island and be sent to a prison camp in Japan. His experiences, which included his return to Japan to forgive his guards, provided a real-life example of one of the most important themes of ethics: courage.

Guest speakers have provided perspective and insight on issues in class. Guests have included:

Topic Guest

Surviving Imprisonment

Louis Zamperini faced mental and physical abuse at the hands of his Japanese captors. At one point he was forced to hold a wooden beam over his head for 38 minutes before being struck by the prison camp commander. Despite his ordeal, Zamperini felt he needed to return to find and forgive his Japanese guards. The most brutal guard, nicknamed "The Bird," was in hiding following the war and was pardoned after an amnesty. Though the Bird refused to meet with Zamperini, the American's return to Japan during the Nagano Winter Games in 1996 proved to be an important visit. Zamperini shared his amazing story with the class.

Climbing Everest

In 2006 Dan Mazur came upon an abandoned climber while on a Mount Everest ascent. Dan stopped to assist the climber, Lincoln Hall, who survived the ordeal, although others passed by without offering assistance. Following an all-school assembly, Dan met with the two sections of ethics class to discuss his choices on that day and as a mountain-climber in general.

Darfur

Professor Eric Reeves of Smith College has received an extended sabbatical from teaching to research, write, and speak about the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. Dr. Reeves discussed the options open to the U.S. in the face of this crisis and answered questions about Darfur. He pointed to the difficulties of the U.S. assembling a "Coalition of the Willing" in Sudan following our Iraq blunders.

Ethics in Politics

State Senator Jack Scott left the world of educational administration (he had been President of Pasadena City College) to enter politics following the accidental shooting death of his son. He served in the Assembly and then Senate and became one of California's most important legislators in the field of education. He described the pressures individuals face in the political arena and the importance of holding firm to one's values.

Hollywood's Ethics

Brad Whitford, Emmy-winning star of The West Wing and a featured performed in numerous movies, described his career path and shared anecdotes and insights from his time in Hollywood. He also discussed the special opportunities actors have for promoting causes of concern.

The Ethical Journey

Hodding Carter III, Emmy-award winning documentary producer, Assistant Secretary of the State Department, Wall Street Journal columnist, and CEO of the Knight Foundation, told the class about growing up in Greenville, Alabama and the journey he made in his attitudes about race, integration, and gradualism. He also related the conflicts he faced as a State Department spokesman during the Carter administration, his determination never to knowingly lie, and then dealing with the fact that he had given reporters misinformation given to him by superiors. Carter observed that becoming an ethical person takes time, that one needs to develop perspective and values throughout one's life.

Do Not Deceive: Leading an Ethical Life

Tim McGuire, former editor of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune shared his insights on ethical decision-making and led the class through some real-life case studies on journalistic ethics. His main message to students: when faced with a choice, do not deceive.

Ethics in Sports

Erin and Joe Borchard provided anecdotes about pressures they faced as top collegiate and professional athletes.

Iraq

Peter Hong, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, lived with an Iraqi family. He shared the impact of the American military involvement on the Iraqi people.

Non-profits in Afghanistan

Alan Paul, a volunteer with Relief International, described his work helping set up educational programs in Iraq and the ethical dilemmas faced by non-profit organizations in the areas of women's rights, opium production, and rebuilding the nation.

The Ethics of Peacemaking

Glen Stassen, professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Seminary, shared the principles of Just Peacemaking, an alternative to the just war and pacifist approaches to conflict. Dr. Stassen identified 10 practices of just peacemaking and discussed the current situation in the Middle East.

Ethics in the Mutual Fund Industry

Paul Haaga, Capital Group vice-president and chair, Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute, spoke to the class about the recent scandals in the mutual fund industry. He also discussed ethical choices that businessmen and women encounter in their daily work. His advice to the class concerning college: "You're not going to be preparing for your first job in college. You're going to be preparing for your last job." A Q & A with the Los Angeles Times is available here.

Ethics in the Newsroom

Larry Wilson, editor of the Pasadena Star News, shared his journalistic path and then led a discussion of the ethical choices editors have to make in the process of producing a daily local newspaper. In addition to writing a thrice-weekly column, Larry often authors the papers' editorials. You can view student responses to his visit here. You may also like to see Larry's column following his visit in November 2002.

Ethics in Sports

Eric Sondheimer covers prep sports for the Los Angeles Times. He visited the class and led a discussion on a variety of ethical dilemmas he has observed in high school sports, including coaches who cheat and recruit athletes in violation of federation rules.

Ethics in Print Journalism

Peter Hong, Los Angeles Times reporter, graduated from Occidental College and worked for the Washington Post prior to joining the Times. He spoke with the class about a number of newsroom ethical issues, including guidelines for privacy, expectations as to accuracy and fact-checking, and the impact of peer influence in reinforcing ethical behavior.

Business Ethics:
The Tylenol Recall Case

Mia Rondinella, Poly class of 1992 and a graduate of Harvard Business School, is a member of the strategic planning team at Disney. Ms. Rondinella led the class in a case study discussion, following the Harvard Business School class model. She emphasized the ethical dimensions of the choices made during the Tylenol poisoning scares.

Legal Ethics

Manny Medrano, a KNBC News Correspondent, discussed attorney-client privilege, the rights of the accused, and other legal issues.

Ethics in Public Education

Mike Babcock, Poly class of 1948, former Headmaster and current member of the Pasadena Unified Board of Education, discussed a number of issues involved in public school governance and finance. Mr. Babcock also discussed the similarities and differences between private and public schools.

Conceiving a Child to Save Another:
When Is It Acceptable?

Mary Ayala and her husband Abe faced the almost certain death of their 19-year-old daughter Anissa in 1990 from leukemia unless a suitable bone marrow donor could be found. The Ayalas decided to try a longshot. The father had had a vasectomy which was reversed. The mother was 43. The baby, Marissa had a one in four chance to be a match. The Ayalas beat the odds on all counts. A successful transplant was performed when Marissa was 14 months old. Both girls are healthy today. Mrs. Ayala and the class discussed her family situation and the ethical issues involved.

Topic	Guest
Surviving Imprisonment	Louis Zamperini faced mental and physical abuse at the hands of his Japanese captors. At one point he was forced to hold a wooden beam over his head for 38 minutes before being struck by the prison camp commander. Despite his ordeal, Zamperini felt he needed to return to find and forgive his Japanese guards. The most brutal guard, nicknamed "The Bird," was in hiding following the war and was pardoned after an amnesty. Though the Bird refused to meet with Zamperini, the American's return to Japan during the Nagano Winter Games in 1996 proved to be an important visit. Zamperini shared his amazing story with the class.
Climbing Everest	In 2006 Dan Mazur came upon an abandoned climber while on a Mount Everest ascent. Dan stopped to assist the climber, Lincoln Hall, who survived the ordeal, although others passed by without offering assistance. Following an all-school assembly, Dan met with the two sections of ethics class to discuss his choices on that day and as a mountain-climber in general.
Darfur	Professor Eric Reeves of Smith College has received an extended sabbatical from teaching to research, write, and speak about the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. Dr. Reeves discussed the options open to the U.S. in the face of this crisis and answered questions about Darfur. He pointed to the difficulties of the U.S. assembling a "Coalition of the Willing" in Sudan following our Iraq blunders.
Ethics in Politics	State Senator Jack Scott left the world of educational administration (he had been President of Pasadena City College) to enter politics following the accidental shooting death of his son. He served in the Assembly and then Senate and became one of California's most important legislators in the field of education. He described the pressures individuals face in the political arena and the importance of holding firm to one's values.
Hollywood's Ethics	Brad Whitford, Emmy-winning star of The West Wing and a featured performed in numerous movies, described his career path and shared anecdotes and insights from his time in Hollywood. He also discussed the special opportunities actors have for promoting causes of concern.
The Ethical Journey	Hodding Carter III, Emmy-award winning documentary producer, Assistant Secretary of the State Department, Wall Street Journal columnist, and CEO of the Knight Foundation, told the class about growing up in Greenville, Alabama and the journey he made in his attitudes about race, integration, and gradualism. He also related the conflicts he faced as a State Department spokesman during the Carter administration, his determination never to knowingly lie, and then dealing with the fact that he had given reporters misinformation given to him by superiors. Carter observed that becoming an ethical person takes time, that one needs to develop perspective and values throughout one's life.
Do Not Deceive: Leading an Ethical Life	Tim McGuire, former editor of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune shared his insights on ethical decision-making and led the class through some real-life case studies on journalistic ethics. His main message to students: when faced with a choice, do not deceive.
Ethics in Sports	Erin and Joe Borchard provided anecdotes about pressures they faced as top collegiate and professional athletes.
Iraq	Peter Hong, reporter for the Los Angeles Times, lived with an Iraqi family. He shared the impact of the American military involvement on the Iraqi people.
Non-profits in Afghanistan	Alan Paul, a volunteer with Relief International, described his work helping set up educational programs in Iraq and the ethical dilemmas faced by non-profit organizations in the areas of women's rights, opium production, and rebuilding the nation.
The Ethics of Peacemaking	Glen Stassen, professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Seminary, shared the principles of Just Peacemaking, an alternative to the just war and pacifist approaches to conflict. Dr. Stassen identified 10 practices of just peacemaking and discussed the current situation in the Middle East.
Ethics in the Mutual Fund Industry	Paul Haaga, Capital Group vice-president and chair, Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute, spoke to the class about the recent scandals in the mutual fund industry. He also discussed ethical choices that businessmen and women encounter in their daily work. His advice to the class concerning college: "You're not going to be preparing for your first job in college. You're going to be preparing for your last job." A Q & A with the Los Angeles Times is available here.
Ethics in the Newsroom	Larry Wilson, editor of the Pasadena Star News, shared his journalistic path and then led a discussion of the ethical choices editors have to make in the process of producing a daily local newspaper. In addition to writing a thrice-weekly column, Larry often authors the papers' editorials. You can view student responses to his visit here. You may also like to see Larry's column following his visit in November 2002.
Ethics in Sports	Eric Sondheimer covers prep sports for the Los Angeles Times. He visited the class and led a discussion on a variety of ethical dilemmas he has observed in high school sports, including coaches who cheat and recruit athletes in violation of federation rules.
Ethics in Print Journalism	Peter Hong, Los Angeles Times reporter, graduated from Occidental College and worked for the Washington Post prior to joining the Times. He spoke with the class about a number of newsroom ethical issues, including guidelines for privacy, expectations as to accuracy and fact-checking, and the impact of peer influence in reinforcing ethical behavior.
Business Ethics: The Tylenol Recall Case	Mia Rondinella, Poly class of 1992 and a graduate of Harvard Business School, is a member of the strategic planning team at Disney. Ms. Rondinella led the class in a case study discussion, following the Harvard Business School class model. She emphasized the ethical dimensions of the choices made during the Tylenol poisoning scares.
Legal Ethics	Manny Medrano, a KNBC News Correspondent, discussed attorney-client privilege, the rights of the accused, and other legal issues.
Ethics in Public Education	Mike Babcock, Poly class of 1948, former Headmaster and current member of the Pasadena Unified Board of Education, discussed a number of issues involved in public school governance and finance. Mr. Babcock also discussed the similarities and differences between private and public schools.
Conceiving a Child to Save Another: When Is It Acceptable?	Mary Ayala and her husband Abe faced the almost certain death of their 19-year-old daughter Anissa in 1990 from leukemia unless a suitable bone marrow donor could be found. The Ayalas decided to try a longshot. The father had had a vasectomy which was reversed. The mother was 43. The baby, Marissa had a one in four chance to be a match. The Ayalas beat the odds on all counts. A successful transplant was performed when Marissa was 14 months old. Both girls are healthy today. Mrs. Ayala and the class discussed her family situation and the ethical issues involved.