After the film SWITCH, panelists will lead a Q&A and discussion. Is fracking polluting our water? How dangerous is nuclear? Will gasoline prices continue to rise? Can we clean up coal? Can renewables really power our future? The panel is comprised of educators and professionals who have devoted their lives to studying energy - from multiple disciplines.

Panelists:

Dr. Ward Jewell- Dr. Ward Jewell - Ward Jewell received the B.S.E.E. degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, in 1979, the M.S.E.E. degree from Michigan State University, East Lansing, in 1980, and the Ph. D. degree from Oklahoma State University in 1986. He has been with Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, since 1987, where he is a Professor of Electrical Engineering. He is the Wichita State Site Director of the Power System Engineering Research Center (pserc.org). His current research interests include advanced energy technologies and climate changes as it affects the electric energy system. Dr. Jewell is a fellow of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

John Hastings- Consulting Petroleum Geologist at Lario Oil and Gas, Wichita, KS. John entered the US Air Force after high school. After he was honorably discharged he worked at McConnell AFB as a heavy equipment operator. In '81 he enrolled at Wichita State University. After landing a position with an oil company he decided to major in Geology with a minor in Mathematics. At the time of his graduation, the 80's oil industry 'boom' was ending and John was employed for a brief period as a computer programmer. The volatility of the industry settled and John continued to work as an independent consultant, supervising well site operations. John now works for Lario Oil and Gas, managing their Mid-Continent operations. His primary responsibilities have been to explore and drill for new reserves in South Central and Western Kansas.  

Dr. Bill Wentz- Is a distinguished Professor Emeritus in engineering at Wichita State. He is the former director of the National Institute for Aeronautical Research, and has received the Wichita Regional Clean Air Award, developed a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory tracking system for the City of Wichita. He has been acknowledged as a gifted teacher of advanced aerodynamics, a world-class aerodynamics researcher, an engineering leader, and a superb organizer.

Toni Jackman- Is a native Kansan, who spent most of her life exploring what nature has to offer. Toni has researched in Kenya and worked with Dr. Jane Goodall at the Chimpanzee Research Center at Gombi Stream in Tanzania, she has been a part of the U.S. Diplomatic Service where she served as a Press officer and Media Specialist in Tunisia and Morocco and later in the USIA Director’s Operation Center in Washington. She is an Associate Director of the Center for Environment and Human Health (CEHH) and a lecturer in the WSU Geology Department where she teaches general Geology, Environmental Geology, and Oceanography and is faculty advisor for the WSU GreenGroup.