STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—What’s the best way to eradicate poverty? This enduring question will be the focus of a panel discussion, “The Free Enterprise System—The Most Effective Economic System to Eradicate Poverty.” The forum will be held at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Thursday, March 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Seminar Room of the St. Joseph Center.

The panel will include six Franciscan University professors: Dr. Michael Welker, business administration and economics; Joseph Zoric, economics; Dr. Doug Lowry, (retired) business; Dr. Michael Sirilla, theology; Dr. Kevin Miller, theology; and Father Dan Pattee, TOR, theology.

The panel will discuss the benefits of the free enterprise system in the ongoing attempt to eradicate poverty. According to Dr. Thomas Kelly, faculty advisor for the Franciscan University chapter of Enactus (formerly Students in Free Enterprise), which sponsors the event, “The panelists will emphasize the historic and contemporary benefits the free enterprise system has provided in lifting individuals, communities, and countries from the plight of poverty. The discussion will also address concerns about free markets while emphasizing that Roman Catholicism, coupled with the free market system, can be a very powerful combination when addressing the needs of the poor.”

The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. From University Boulevard, take Franciscan Way West (the road between the two hotels), to the St. Joseph Center parking lot.