PUBLICATIONS
Inside
Illinois
Vol.
22, No. 5, Sept. 5, 2002
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to Index
Exploring
the Human Experience:
Beyond
Differences?
Kickoff event: Mike Farrell to
speak on human rights Sept. 9
Mike
Farrell, a political and social activist best known for his portrayal
of Army Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt in the TV-series "M*A*S*H," will talk about
human rights in a lecture at Foellinger Auditorium at 7 p.m. Sept. 9.
The
free, public event is the kickoff for the 2002-2003 campus "Exploring
the Human Experience" initiative, which will include a series of academic
offerings, performances and events that culminate with the commencement
address in May.
The
theme of this year’s initiative is "Beyond Differences?," which
will examine whether there are distinctly and commonly human experiences
and concerns. Speakers and events will examine whether these shared
experiences and concerns form a basis for communication, understanding
and empathy in a pluralistic world or whether the fact that these experiences
and concerns are expressed in countless different ways simply represent
one more sign of irreconcilable diversity.
Farrell
long has been active with the American Civil Liberties Union, American
Indian Movement, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Special Olympics,
United Farm Workers Union and organizations concerned with animal welfare,
the environment, child abuse, spousal abuse and veterans rights.
Since
1979 Farrell has been spokesperson for CONCERN/America, an international
refugee aid and development organization. He has visited refugee camps
in Asia and Central America and helped disseminate information about
the organization’s work worldwide.
He
serves as co-chair of Human Rights Watch in California, president of
Death Penalty Focus and as member of the advisory board of the National
Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.
In
1998, Farrell began appearing as a regular in the NBC-TV series "Providence,"
in which he portrays a veterinarian.
 
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