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the Darwin Society

In February 2002, Augustana sophomores Brad Cosentino, Jonathan Edmonson, and Jason Williams organized Augustana's first annual 'Darwin Day' by inviting Augustana professors to speak on campus about the significance of evolutionary theory. With the assistance and encouragement of Dr. Stephen Hager, the Darwin Club was formed shortly thereafter. The club was created to allow the campus to explore the philosophical and scientific significance of evolution and to publicize and fight the creationist assault on public education. The club held weekly discussion-oriented meetings and had a small following by the end of 2002. During the 2002-2003 school year, the club grew to nearly twenty active members and became increasingly active on campus and within the community, inviting more speakers, and focusing on ways to educate people about evolution and the evolution/creationism controversy. Campus response to the club has been overwhelming (with both positive and negative responses). Each of the 2003 speakers addressed packed lecture halls packed by Augustana students, faculty, local clergy, local school board members, and faculty and students from surrounding colleges and universities. The club hosted 3 more speakers during the 2003-2004 school year and extended Darwin Day into a full week of activities.

Invited Speakers:

Dr. Kevin Geedey, Professor of Biology, Augustana College. "One Hundred and Forty-Three Years Without Darwin are Enough." (Darwin Day 2002)

Dr. Gary Mann, Professor of Religion, Augustana College. "Intersection between evolutionary theory and theology: Can a Darwinian be a Christian?" (Darwin Day 2002)

Dr. Karen Bartelt, Professor of Chemistry, Eureka College. "The New Creationists and their Assault on Public Education" (Origin Day 2002)

Dr. Robert Pennock, Professor of Philosophy, Michigan State University. "The Evolutionary Design of Organs of Extreme Perfection." (Darwin Day 2003)

Dr. Alan Gishlick, Research fellow at the National Center for Science Education and Augie Grad. "Controversy or Conversation: Evolution and God in the 21st Century" (Spring Term 2003)

Dr. Paul Nelson, Discovery Institute. "Nature's Design: Real or Apparent" (Spring Term 2003).

Dr. Robert Richards, Professor of History, Philosophy, and Psychology, University of Chicago. 'Darwin's Romantic Biology' (Origin Day 2003)

Dr. Milford Wolpoff, Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan. 'The Neanderthal in Your Closet' (Darwin Day 2004)

Dr. Michael Ruse, Professor of Philosophy, Florida State University, 'Darwin and Atheism--A Marriage Made in Heaven?' and 'Evo-Devo: A New Paradigm' (Celebration of Science and Reason 2004)

Club Publications:

Williams, J.J., Hager, S.B., and Cosentino, B.J. 2003. 'Review of Darwin's Proof: the Triumph of Religion over Science' NCSE Reports. (invited review) (submitted).

Cosentino B.J., Williams J.J., Guderyahn L.B., and Hager S.B. 2003. 'Review of 'Designer Universe: Intelligent Design and the Existence of God' NCSE Reports. (accepted & in press). Designer Universe (pdf)

Cosentino, B.J.  2002  "Religion and Science: Distinction and Dialogue."
Augustana Observer.  April 12, 2002.  Volume 101, Number 18.

Williams, J.J. 2002  "Evolution Should be Understood Before it is Written
Off."  Augustana Observer.  April 19, 2002.  Volume 101, Number 19.

Williams, J.J. 2003  "Eminent Philosopher of Science to Visit Campus."
Augustana Observer.  February 7, 2003.  Volume 102.  Number 14.

Williams, J.J. 2003  "Augustana Online Misrepresents Convocation Speaker."
Augustana Observer.  March 28, 2003.  Volume 102.  Number 16.

Cosentino, B.J and Hager, S.B. "Evolution: More than a Scientific Theory." Worldview Convocation. May 8, 2003. pdf

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