Ralph Nader Featured Speaker at Civic Engagement Celebration, April 14

Presidential candidate and self-described “public citizen” Ralph Nader will emphasize the importance of civic engagement by college students as he delivers the keynote address for Illinois State University’s Civic Engagement Celebration on Monday, April 14.  The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 4 p.m. in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom. 

The Civic Engagement Celebration is sponsored by Illinois State’s American Democracy Project and recognizes contributions by students, student organizations, faculty, and staff in nurturing an environment of civic engagement.  Ralph Nader’s presentation at the event is made possible by the University’s Division of Student Affairs.  

Awards presented during the event will include the 2008 FOCUS Department/School Award, presented to the School of Communication.  The award recognizes a department or school that has demonstrated commitment and excellence in incorporating civic and community engagement into its curriculum and co-curricular activities. The Department of Sociology and Anthropology received honorable mention in this category.          The 2008 FOCUS Faculty Award will be given to Sandra Klitzing, School of Kinesiology and Recreation.  The award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated commitment and excellence in incorporating civic and community engagement into their courses.

Ralph Nader was named “One of the 100 Most Influential Americans of the 20th Century” by Time magazine for his decades as an outspoken advocate for better health and safety standards.  Nader rose to prominence with the 1965 publication of Unsafe at Any Speed, which took the auto industry to task over the lack of safety features in cars.  His ongoing advocacy led to life-saving motor vehicle safety legislation that resulted in seat belts, airbags and crash-worthy cars becoming accepted industry standards.

Nader helped to create the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  Over the past several decades Nader’s advocacy efforts have also focused on consumer rights, safer drinking water, cleaner air, better food labeling, smoking awareness and open government. 

Nader has made several bids for the presidency as an independent and a Green Party candidate.  In late February of this year he announced his intention to make another run for the White House.