The American Dream: Yours, Mine, and Ours/El Sueño Americano: Tuyo, Mio, y Nuestro

9th Annual Adams State University Autumn@Adams

September 10th through September 15th, 2012

The 2012 Autumn@Adams Annual Cook-Off will include a jalapeno eating contest for adults and a watermelon seed spitting contest for children with prizes. Prize money for the top three winners of the green or red chile or salsa has increased this year as well. Visit A@A Cook-Off for more information.

Cook-Off Form

Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9

Monday, September 10

  • Thomas Linzey
  • 7 p.m.
  • McDaniel Hall room 101
  • Free
  • Refreshments Served

Thomas Linzey, an award-winning public interest attorne,y is the Executive Director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit law firm that has provided free legal services to over five hundred local governments and nonprofits since 1995.

He is also a co-founder of the Daniel Pennock Democracy School, now taught in twenty-four states across the country, which helps communities assert their rights.

Linzey, author of "Be The Change: How to Get What You Want in Your Community," co-hosts Democracy Matters, a public affairs radio show broadcast from KYRS in Spokane, Washington.

Adams State parking lots are not ticketed after 5 p.m.


Tuesday, September 11

  • Paul Loeb
  • Author, "Soul of a Citizen"
  • 7 p.m.
  • McDaniel Hall room 101
  • Free
  • Refreshments Served

Paul Loeb, author of the award-winning civic engagement books Soul of a Citizen, The Impossible Will Take a Little While, and Generation at the Crossroads, will visit the Adams State University campus as part of this year's Autumn@Adams week-long lineup of events.

Loeb has done extensive research and writing about citizen responsibility and empowerment, and lectures widely. Soul of a Citizen's subtitle, "Living with Conviction in Challenging Times," sums up the focus of the author's message. Loeb's talk will inspire involvement in one's community, especially among students, who will be shown how to get past perceived barriers to act, and to see how actions matter.

Young and old will be challenged to apply their learning and skills in meaningful ways. Especially during this election year, all members of the campus and community are invited to attend what the college anticipates will be an informative as well as inspirational event.

"I stayed up half the night reading Soul of a Citizen, finding it a beautiful and morally transcendent work."---Jonathan Kozol.

Loeb will present a faculty-staff workshop, open to all educators at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11,  light refreshments will be served.

Adams State parking lots are not ticketed after 5 p.m.

Wednesday, September 12

  • Deciphering Campaign Ads"
  • noon
  • McDaniel Hall room 101
  • Free
  • Refreshments Served

This presentation, by Mark Finney, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mass Communication and Dr. Rob Demski, Dept. of Psychology, will combine the mass communications and political psychology perspectives in deciphering political campaign ads.

  • Civil Rights Round-Table Discussions
  • 7 p.m.
  • Student Union Building Banquet Rooms
  • Free
  • Refreshments Served
As a nation, the United States continues to address issues regarding civil rights and immigration. The Civil Rights Roundtable, led by Dr. Ed Crowther, department of history/government/philosophy chair, provides an opportunity to discuss past, current and future civil rights issues.

Thursday, September 13

  • Immigration Simulation 
  • 3 p.m.
  • Student Life Center
  • Refreshments Served

Georgia Parment, Community Education Coordinator for La Puente Home, will conduct the Immigration Simulation. The immigration simulation is an interactive activity for participants to explore the roots of migration and the challenges faced by immigrants from around the globe as they seek legal entry and perhaps a version of the American Dream. During the role play activity, individuals will learn about real-life factors that play into the decision to emigrate and will develop a better understanding of the complicated immigration process. The simulation is engaging, thought-provoking, and fun.

  • Immigration Panel
  • Dr. Mari Centeno, moderator
  • 7 p.m.
  • McDaniel Hall room 101
  • Free Refreshments Served
Panelists will include those who have experienced immigration, from a variety of perspectives and viewpoints. After a brief introduction and answering a few set questions, the panel will accept questions from the audience.

Saturday, September 15

  • Cook-Off Green or Red Chile or Salsa
  • 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
  • North Campus Green
  • $10 for contestants $3 tickets to taste and judge