In recognition of Constitution Day, the Hon. John E. Jones III will speak on “Evolution, Intelligent Design and Religion in the School” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in Cole Hall at Bridgewater College.
A life-long Republican, Jones was appointed by President George W. Bush as a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 2002.
Jones is best known for his presiding role in the “Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District” case, in which the teaching of intelligent design in public school science classes was ruled unconstitutional.
Jones began his legal career in 1980 as a law clerk to the President Judge of Schuylkill County, the Hon. Guy A. Bowe. He then joined the firm of Dolbin & Cori, and upon his receiving partner status, the name was changed to Dolbin, Cori and Jones. In 1986, Jones began a private practice, John Jones & Associates, and was a trial lawyer until being named to the federal bench. For the last 10 years of his practice, he served as counsel to the Reading, Pa.-based law firm of Roland & Schlegel.
Before taking the bench, Jones served as a member of the board of directors of the Union Bank and Trust Company of Pottsville and state attorney for the D.A.R.E. program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). As chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, he gained national recognition in the area of alcohol education, with particular emphasis on underage drinking at college campuses, as well as drunk driving. In 2000, his contributions were recognized when he received the Government Leadership Award from the National Commission Against Drunk Driving in Washington, D.C.
He earned a B.A. degree from Dickinson College and his law degree from Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University.
The convocation is sponsored by the W. Harold Row Endowed Lecture Series and is open to the public at no charge.
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