Capital University President Denvy A. Bowman has selected nine students and three community partners to help carry out the second iteration of the Empathy Experiment, an initiative he first launched in 2010 to explore whether empathy can be taught, and if so, what are the effects.
In its second year, the Empathy Experiment will explore a new social issue — Nutrition in America — to answer a slightly modified question: Can we empathize with someone who makes choices we disagree with?
“The success of last year’s program, the public dialogue, and the feedback from our students and partners convinced me the Empathy Experiment should be repeated,” Bowman said. “But now I want to explore the notion of teaching empathy through an issue that many perceive to be a matter of choice — the food we eat — as opposed to circumstance — being a member of the working poor community.”
Bowman has selected nine Capital students to learn through traditional and non-traditional experiences what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. They’ll be guided by three community partners deeply connected to this year’s theme — Food for Thought: Nutrition in America. Members of the second Empathy Experiment class at Capital University are:
- Nathan Bell, of Akron, Ohio, a first-year student majoring in communication
- Alex Broshious, of Vickery, Ohio, a senior majoring in English
- Ella Douglass, of Columbus, a senior in Capital’s radio-TV and film program
- Brandon Juarez, of Washington, D.C., who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing through Capital’s Accelerated Nursing Program
- Bridget Miller, of Cloverdale, Ohio, a first-year student majoring in exercise science
- Mark Mullen, of Sidney, Ohio, a junior majoring in public relations
- Carolyn Newberry, a first-year student from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, majoring in public administration
- Jessica Stoltz, a senior from Clayton, Ohio, studying exercise science
- Kaylin VanBuskirk, of Pickerington, a first-year student majoring in early childhood education
Capital is proud to announce its partners in carrying out this important work. They are:
Columbus City Schools — Columbus City Schools, established in 1845, is the state of Ohio’s largest school district, serving the needs of approximately 50,000 students in 118 schools. The district is under the leadership of its 19th superintendent, Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., and a seven-member board of education. The mission of Columbus City Schools is that each student is highly educated, prepared for leadership and service, and empowered for success as a citizen in a global community.
Columbus Public Health — a leader in improving the health and safety of Columbus by monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the 
public’s health, and providing services to prevent and control disease. Through a range of programs providing clinical, environmental, health promotion, and population-based services, the department seeks to ensure that all people who live and work in Columbus are protected from disease and other public health threats, and empowered to utilize health services, health information, and other resources to achieve their optimum health.
Whole Foods Market — the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named 
“America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet,”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. It is consistently included in FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” Last fiscal year, the company had sales of more than $10 billion and currently has more than 315 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
For six weeks, students will work in teams of three to deepen their understanding of nutrition in America, in part, by engaging in immersive experiences designed by its community partners, each of which offers a distinct perspective on a subset of public nutrition issues that fall into three categories: Economics and Education, Politics and Commerce, and Medical and Social.
Along the way, through words, photos, videos and other media, students will share their experiences to demonstrate what, and how, they have learned. Follow their progress at www.capital.edu/empathy. On Wednesday, April 25, Capital will host a concluding event in Mees Hall to showcase the Empathy Experiment, which is being documented carefully as it unfolds. The event will be open to the Capital community and invited guests. Additional details will be released as they become final.
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Contact: Nichole Johnson
Director
of media relations and communications
Capital University
614-236-6945
c:
614-440-9158