DR. JAMES BARTH – SR. FELLOW, MILKEN INSTITUTE

Speaking as a guest lecturer to West students on the timely issue of global recession, Dr. James Barth remarked, “If the U.S. economy continues along this current path, it is inevitable for both China and possibly India to overtake us as the world’s largest economy.”

Barth is a Senior Fellow at the Milken Institute and the Lowder Eminent Scholar in Finance at Auburn University. The Milken Institute is an internationally renowned independent economic think tank. Prior to joining the Institute, Barth served as an economist under former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. In his discussion, Barth drew from his experiences as a leader of an international team advising the People’s Bank of China on banking reform. He addressed the international ramifications of the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent recession.

Barth was invited to campus by the WLAC Economics Club.

KATHLEEN FOSTER – ACCOMPLISHED PHOTOJOURNALIST

After a free screening of her latest work, documentary film Afghan Women: A History of Struggle, Kathleen Foster took questions from the audience of WLAC students, faculty and staff. Her feature length-documentary captured the resilience and courage of a group of remarkable women who risk their lives daily to stand up for their rights. Rare archival footage illustrated the disturbing and amazing stories of their struggle for equality, reflected in the history of Afghanistan during the past quarter-century of political turmoil.

Foster has been a New York-based photojournalist and documentary filmmaker since the 1970's. Her photos have appeared in publications including New York Times, Time, Village Voice and Fortune Magazine.