July 13, 2009 – Colorado Christian University's Centennial Institute is inviting members of the community to attend its upcoming Issue Friday, a free, monthly forum that addresses current public concerns. On Friday, July 17, 2009, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the CCU School of Business, Dr. Paul Prentice and Professor Tamara Hannaway will present on "Defending the Moral Foundations of Capitalism." A discussion forum will follow, moderated by Centennial Institute Director John Andrews.

Issues of discussion at this month's forum will include:
• Why can we say that the market economy and free enterprise are not only materially superior but also ethically superior?
• What are the moral flaws in a centralized command economy?
• How are these arguments of critical importance at the current moment in American history?

A fellow at the Centennial Institute, Dr. Prentice is also a senior fellow at the Independence Institute (Golden, Colo.). He was an economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under President Reagan, and has also served as a visiting scholar at the U.S. Department of The Treasury. In addition to his fellowships, he currently serves as an economist and adjunct faculty member at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, and as an adjunct scholar with the Ludwig von Mises Institute (Auburn, Ala.).

Tamara Hannaway is an associate professor of economics and public affairs at CCU. She has nearly 20 years of management and marketing experience with companies ranging from Fortune 500 firms to small nonprofits. In addition to teaching at CCU, she also instructs and develops curriculum for graduate programs in international business, public affairs, and economics, both locally and abroad. Her research areas include economic development, corruption, free-market reforms, governance, and public policy.

The Centennial Institute is a think tank recently established by Colorado Christian University. The Institute sponsors research, events, and publications to enhance public understanding of the most important issues facing our state and nation, thereby fostering faith, family, freedom, and citizenship. Director John Andrews, a former Colorado Senate president, is also the host of Backbone Radio, a TV commentator, and a columnist for The Denver Post.

Reservations are recommended for this Friday's forum. Please RSVP to centennial@ccu.edu or call 303-963-3424.