McMaster Symposium 2016

The Question of Individual Liberties as Critical to Improving the Human Condition
April 13-14, 2016

McMaster Symposium Program CoverThe 2016 McMaster Symposium committee invites presenters to contribute to the Defiance College community's development of a global perspective especially as it relates to complex issues that impact the human condition; exploration of the role individual liberties play in improving of the human condition; understanding of impact that disciplinary and professional scholarship has on the real world issues that face humanity.


Keynote Speaker

Dr. Gai Ferdon

Dr. Gai Ferdon


Dr. Ferdon was born in Portage, Wisconsin. Her educational background has been interspersed with life-changing missionary experiences and teaching positions in many interesting and intriguing parts of the world. Her own experience relative to teaching and instruction spans approximately 25 years both in the United States and abroad.

Dr. Ferdon holds a B.A., in History/Political Science from Indiana Wesleyan University; a M.A. from the Robertson School of Government and Public Policy, Regent University; and a Ph.D in 17th century British political thought from the University of Leicester.

Her areas of specialization include Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise, American Government Honors, State and Local Government, Political Economy and Public Policy, American Political Ideas, American Constitutional History and Public Policy Development in the Political Environment.

Dr. Ferdon is the author of several books including A Republic If You Can Keep It: America's Authentic Liberty Confronts Contemporary Counterfeits and Constitutional Government and Free Enterprise: A Biblical Christian Worldview Approach and Emphasis Interactive Notes.

Dr. Ferdon currently serves as a Professor of Political Science at Liberty University.