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FSC's Florida Center for Science and Religion
awarded Local Societies Initiative grant

LAKELAND, Fla. (Aug. 3, 2004) - The Florida Center for Science and Religion (FCSR) at Florida Southern College was chosen as a recipient of the Local Societies Initiative (LSI) grant of the Metanexus Institute on Religion and Science. 

The FCSR will promote the engagement of issues in science and religion throughout central Florida. The center will sponsor annual lecture series, speakers, and meetings over the next three years on a range of topics including stem cell research, evolution, and mental health and wellness. FCSR desires that its programming appeal to both the Florida Southern and wider Lakeland communities. Dr. Sara Fletcher Harding, associate professor of religion, and Dr. Nancy Morvillo, associate professor of biology, will serve as co-directors of the center. "We are thrilled that Florida Southern was named as one of the recipients of an LSI grant from Metanexus," said Harding. "The grant provides a tremendous opportunity for the college to initiate the discussion of the ethical and theological implications of some of the most significant scientific issues of our time." 

The Local Societies Initiative provides three-year grants to fund start-up costs for dialogue groups exploring the dynamic interface between religion and science. While focused on colleges, universities and seminaries, the program also welcomes applications from a wide spectrum of interested parties in other venues worldwide. The growing worldwide network of LSI now boasts 119 societies in 29 countries on 6 continents across the globe.

The Metanexus Institute advances research, education and outreach on the constructive engagement of science and religion. Metanexus is part of a growing network of individuals and groups exploring the dynamic interface between cosmos, nature and culture in communities and campuses throughout the world. Metanexus sponsors lectures, workshops, research, courses, grants, and publications. Projects include the Local Societies Initiative, the Templeton Research Lectures, the Spiritual Transformation Scientific Research Project, and others. Metanexus hosts an online journal and discussion forum (www.metanexus.net) with over 180,000 monthly page views and 7000 regular subscribers in 57 different countries. 


About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 24 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors. Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

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