Florida Tech Ethics Conference to Explore Origin, Impact of First Amendment
Half-Day Event April 12
is Free, Open to Public
MELBOURNE, FLA. — The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – its origin and evolution, its impact on local government, and the rights and responsibilities it creates – will be the focus of discussions and panel presentations at Florida Institute of Technology’s 18th annual Business Ethics and Leadership Conference Thursday, April 12, in the Hartley Room at the Denius Student Center on the university’s Melbourne campus.
Sponsored by Harris Corp. and Community Credit Union and hosted by Florida Tech’s Nathan Bisk College of Business, the free, public event starts with registration and continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 1 p.m., following the provided lunch.
After a welcome by Steve Rivet, director of Florida Tech’s Center for Ethics and Leadership, the conference’s first session will feature attorney Michael Kahn. His topic is, “The Origin and Evolution of Free Speech and the First Amendment in the United States.”
Starting at 9:30 a.m., the day’s second speaker will be attorney Alison Dawley, the city attorney for the City of Melbourne. Her presentation is, “Practical Application of the First Amendment in Local Government.”
The panel presentation begins at 10:45 with five participants exploring, “The First Amendment: Rights and Responsibilities.” The panelists are Kahn, Dawley, Florida Tech Athletics Director Bill Jurgens, retired County Court Judge Alli Majeed, and Nicholas Romanello, senior vice president, general counsel and chief risk officer for Health First.
Nathan Bisk College of Business graduate student Tom Haynie will be the moderator.
At 11:45 a.m. Rivet will offer concluding remarks, and lunch will be provided from noon to 1 p.m. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please email Dawn Thompson at dthompson@fit.edu to register. Registrations must be received by 5 p.m. April 6.
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