Center for the Study of Free Enterprise

An Out-of-this-World Chat with Charlie Duke
2019-09-11 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center
Charles Duke official NASA portrait, September 21, 1971
The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise, is excited to host An out-of-this-world chat with Charlie Duke, Apollo Astronaut, Moonwalker & Community Leader. Charlies Moss “Charlie” Duke Jr. is an American former astronaut, retired U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot. As Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16 in 1972, he became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon.
The latest installment of the Free Enterprise Speaker Series, this one-night only event will take place in the Bardo Arts Center on Western Carolina University’s campus.
When:
September 11th, 2019 at 5:30 pm
Where:
Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Please visit speakers.wcu.edu/Duke to register.

Opioid & Addiction Crisis Town Hall
2019-10-03 08:30 - 14:30 | A.K. Hinds University Center Grand Room
WCU’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise (CSFE) is teaming up with Jackson County Community Foundation (JCCF) to organize an awareness campaign for September, 2019, capped off by a town hall event on October 3 on WCU’s main campus in Cullowhee, NC. located on the 3rd floor of the University Center.
Town Hall Event Agenda:
8:15 am Registration, Gather
8:30 Welcome & Introductions: WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown
8:45-9:30 Opening Keynote: U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
9:45-10:45 Panel Discussion 1: Al Kopak, WCU Criminology & Criminal Justice; Holly Jones, Community Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator at NC department of Justice; WCU alumnus Kevin Rumley, Veterans Treatment Coordinator.
11:00-12:00 Panel discussion 2: Beth Young, WCU Social Work; April Messer, WCU Nursing; Audrey Redford Economics.
12:15-1:00 Closing Keynote: NC Senator Jim Davis (R-NC)
1:00 pm Breakout Working Groups by Topic: Assessment, Treatment, Social Marketing, Public Policy
registration required, box lunch is provided

One Book Author: Celeste Headlee
2019-10-28 18:00 - 19:30 | A.K. Hinds University Center Grand Room
Celeste Headlee, Author of We Need to Talk.
Author talk with facilitator, WCU economics professor Edward Lopez. Book signing & reception to follow talk.
Please visit us online to learn more about the 2019-20 One Book.

Why People Die by Suicide: Guest Speaker Dr. Joiner
2019-11-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Blue Ridge Conference Center, 225 Brown Hall 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, United States
Dr. Thomas E. Joiner, Jr. is an American clinical and research psychologist at Florida State University and is one of the most prominent suicide experts in the world. His work is both theoretical and practical, in that the “Joiner framework” for suicide risk assessment is the most robust, evidence-based, and widespread system now in use. Dr. Joiner is from Atlanta, Georgia, completed his undergraduate education at Princeton, and then his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. He joined the faculty of the Department of Psychology at Florida State University in 1997 where he is the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology and also serves as the Director of the FSU Psychology Clinic. Dr. Joiner lists well over 500 peer-reviewed publications, including empirical and theoretical articles in top-tier journals, books, and chapters. His work has now generated more than 56,000 citations in other peer-reviewed scientific publications. His single most-cited work, with more than 3,000 citations, is his book, Why People Die from Suicide, published by Harvard University Press.

The Global Spotlight Series
2019-11-07 16:00 - 17:30 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
Global Spotlight Presents:
Nationalism
Presenting faculty include:
Dr. Edward Lopez
Dr. David Dorondo
Dr. Ingrid Bego
Dr. Saheed Aderinto

Science and Pseudoscience in Everyday Life: A Field Guide for Evaluating Extraordinary Claims
2020-02-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Blue Ridge Conference Center, 225 Brown Hall 1 University Drive, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, United States
General/public talk: Thursday evening talk Feb 6., 6:00-7:30 in Blue Ridge Conference room at WCU.
Science and Pseudoscience in Everyday Life: A Field Guide for Evaluating Extraordinary Claims
Description: The everyday world is a bewildering mixture of claims, some of them well-supported but many others – such as conspiracy theories and misinformation – poorly substantiated. In this talk, Dr. Lilienfeld will discuss the prevalence of pseudoscientific and otherwise questionable beliefs in contemporary life, and explore why all of us are susceptible to their seductive allure.
Sponsored by: Department of Psychology, Department of Political Science, Office of the Provost, Center for the Study of Free Enterprise
Psychology Departmental Research Colloquium: Friday, February 7, 12:00-1:00, Killian 107
Intellectual Humility: Implications for Political, Personality, and Clinical Psychology
Description: People differ in their awareness of their own cognitive biases and limitations. Until recently, however, psychologists have expressed little interest in individual differences in intellectual humility, which relates to the extent to which we are cognizant of our mental fallibility and biases. Dr. Lilienfeld will summarize the results of several preliminary studies from his lab on the correlates and implications of intellectual humility for decision-making, political leadership, and personality traits (e.g., narcissism, authoritarianism). Furthermore, he will discuss how a better understanding of this disposition might foster scientific thinking and diminish ideological polarization.

Scaled up Seminar *invitation only
2020-02-21 17:00 - 2020-02-22 19:00 | Biltmore Park Instructional Site, Asheville, Asheville
Scaled-Up Seminar gathers economics researchers within driving distance of WCU to economize on scheduling demands and accomplish more than a series of individual research seminars could. The goal is to leverage the concentration of scholars in the region to: 1) provide mutual feedback on current research projects; 2) gain exposure to each other’s research agendas thus sparking collaboration on future research projects; and 3) facilitate informal discussion leading to collaboration on research, teaching, and program building.

Free Enterprise Speaker Series | The Future of Jobs and the Minimum Wage
2020-02-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
Free Enterprise Speaker Series
Economists Panel Discussion on the Future of Jobs and the Minimum Wage
How are jobs changing in today’s global economy?
Will enough jobs be sustainably created for the next generations of workers?
Do well-intentioned policies like minimum wages help or harm workers?
Should laws be enacted preventing or slowing the pace of Artificial Intelligence replacing workers?
How might minimum wage laws be implemented differently in urban versus rural settings?
This panel discussion will cover these main topics, and more!
Experts representing WCU as well as visiting economics faculty will cover these important issues.
Panelists:
Edward J. Lopez is Professor of Economics, BB&T Distinguished Professor of Capitalism, and Director, Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University, where he teaches classes in macroeconomics, applied business economics, and the moral foundations of capitalism.
Dr. Audrey Redford is Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University where she teaches Economics of Vice, Micro Principles and Introductory Macroeconomics. Her research focuses on illicit markets, prohibition, and applied entrepreneurship.
E. Frank Stephenson is a Henry Gund professor of economics at Berry College in Rome, Georgia where he is Department Chair of Accounting, Economics and Finance. His research interests include Public Policy and Sports Economics. Suring Spring 2020 he is a Visiting Scholar with WCU’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise.
Gary Wagner is a professor of economics at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is also the Acadiana Business Economist/Board of Regents Support Fund Endowed Chair in Economics. He previously worked for the Federal Reserve.

Best in the West: North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District forum
2020-09-05 19:30 - 21:00 | Online
Best in the West: North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District forum
Blue Ridge Public Radio, Mountain Xpress and Smoky Mountain News to host a two-day NC11 candidate forum
Republican Madison Cawthorn and Democrat Moe Davis, candidates for the North Carolina congressional seat left vacant by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, have both agreed to appear at a two-day joint forum hosted by three of the district’s largest media outlets.
On the evenings of Friday, Sept. 4, and Saturday, Sept. 5, candidates will join moderator Cory Vaillancourt and a diverse panel of guests for “Best in the West: North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District forum.”
The first event, to be held at Western Carolina University’s Biltmore Park campus, will feature questions by Lenoir-Rhyne University Equity and Diversity Institute developer Aisha Adams, former Asheville Citizen-Times political reporter and current Mountain Xpress contributor Mark Barrett and Pete Kaliner, longtime N.C. political reporter, radio host, and podcaster. Topics will include international, national, state, and urban issues.
The second event, to be held at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, will include WCU political science and public affairs department chair Chris Cooper, WCU professor of economics and director of WCU’s Center for the Study of Free Enterprise Edward Lopez and Principal Chief Richard G. Sneed, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Topics will include rural issues, native issues, and education.
Due to venue capacity limits currently in place, events will not be open to the public but will be live-streamed. Specific times and instructions on how to watch will be published in the coming days.

Helping the Community Helps your Campus
2021-05-19 19:00 | Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center
How can your campus harness cross-disciplinary research to get back to basics on economic and community development? Learn how university centers can advance faculty and student development while giving back to their communities by registering today for this event, generously supported by the Charles Koch Foundation and our co-sponsoring organizations, the American Council on Education, the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility at Winston-Salem State University, and the Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University.
Hear from an urban HBCU and a rural regional comprehensive university that found innovative ways to advance their institutions’ missions as community-engaged universities. You’ll be able to ask questions of the speakers and take part in live polls.
Both centers convene faculty and students to raise new questions, build understanding, and bridge insights from across academic perspectives. Both centers also embrace the challenge of exploring data-driven questions and publishing quality work to helps solve vexing social problems.
Discuss combining rigorous research with storytelling to capture people’s imaginations and emphasize the importance of this work that affects us all.
Sponsors:
The Charles Koch Foundation
The American Council for Education
The Center for the Study of Economic Mobility
Where:
Streamed live from John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Performance Hall on the Western Carolina University campus to the American Council on Education page.

Community, Policy and Covid: Cross-disciplinary Research that Matters
2021-05-26 13:00 - 16:00 | UC Theater, 1 University Way, Cullowhee, NC, 28723, United States
Session 1: “State Policy and COVID-19 Economic Recovery” at 1pm
Our first session rolls out results and findings from our COVID-19 Research Initiative. Launched in June 2020, the Initiative represents CSFE’s coronavirus “pivot” to our core competency as a research Center. Through this initiative, our team has been working on three main areas: 1) COVID-19 impact analysis; 2) Evidence-based policy analysis; and 3) Bottom-up solutions for long term economic recovery. In August 2020, the UNC Policy Collaboratory awarded CSFE a grant to study these topics and submit findings to the North Carolina General Assembly. With this event, we present some of those findings and more.
Session 2: “COVID-19 and Western Carolina University’s impact in the Western North Carolina Region: Partnering Faculty, Students and Working Professionals” at 2:30pm
As a regional comprehensive university, WCU’s commitment to advancing the well-being of our region and its communities.
Sponser:
The Manual H. Johnson Center for Political Economy
Where:
Streamed live from the UC Grand Room to the WCU page.
There is an option of attending in-person or virtually.

Economic and Policy Analysis of Pandemic Issues
2021-06-02 15:00 | Streamed Live
With the final event of the year, we provide our researchers the chance to present to the broader community of scholars. For more information please visit here.

Campus-wide debate: “Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy.”
2024-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
On September 25th at 6pm in Forsyth 101, the College Debates and Discourse Alliance and The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University will cohost a debate: “Donald Trump poses a threat to democracy.” Registration for the September 25th debate is here: WCU Braver Angels Debate 9/25.

Campus-wide debate: “A vote for a third-party candidate is a wasted vote.”
2024-10-30 18:00 - 21:00 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
On October 30th at 6pm in Forsyth 101 participants will debate: “A vote for a third-party candidate is a wasted vote.” Registration for the October 30th debate is here: WCU Braver Angels Debate 10/30.

What should be done about the lack of affordable housing in WNC?
2025-02-11 18:00 - 20:30 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
Concerned about housing affordability in the region? Have ideas about ways to improve availability and affordability? You are invited to be a part of the discussion!
Food and beverage will be available at 6:00pm. Discussion starts at 6:30pm.

Human Rights Violations and US Military Intervention: A Campus-Wide Debate
2025-03-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Forsyth 305, Cullowhee, NC, United States
Please join us March 26th for a campus-wide debate: Should the US military intervene in response to human rights violations?
The event will kick-off with food and beverage at 6pm in Forsyth 305. The debate will start at 6:30.
See you soon!

Campus Debate: Deportations under the Trump Administration are unconstitutional.
2025-09-24 18:00 - 20:30 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
Join your fellow WCU community members as we debate whether the deportations by the Trump Administration are unconstitutional.
If so, what aspects of the policy are unconstitutional?
If not, what laws give the Trump Administration the authority to conduct these deportations?
Please register here:
Braver Angels Collegiate Debate – Western Carolina University Tickets, Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Food and beverage available at 6pm. The debate starts at 6:30pm.

Campus-Wide Dialogue: Religious Values and the Separation of Church and State
2025-10-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Forsyth 101, 101 Forsyth Building, Cullowhee, NC, 28723
Join us on October 27th at 6pm to discuss the how we can respect religious values while also ensuring the separation of church/temple/synagogue and state.
Food will be served at 6pm. The discussion starts at 6:30 pm in Forsyth 101.
Please register here: A Braver Campus Dialogue – Western Carolina University Tickets, Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite.
All campus community members are welcome!
