Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, M.Div., J.D., associate professor of peacemaking and conflict studies/business, was presented with the 2012 Presidential Award by Association for Conflict Resolution President Perri Mayes in New Orleans at the conclusion of the 12th annual conference in September 2012.

McDonald's—its billions served give it influence way beyond burgers and fries. Lovin' it or hatin' it, few among us have not at some point found it our kind of place.

But can Ronald & Co. bring world peace for all time as well as a break today? Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, a member of the Fresno Pacific University School of Business and Center for Peacemaking & Conflict Studies, has cooked up some tasty ideas on the subject for this Scholars Speak.

Something horrible happened at Virginia Tech University and people want to do something. Preferably something that will keep this from happening again. A natural reaction. A laudable goal. But not an easy one. Duane Ruth-Heffelbower, an experienced counselor and faculty member at Fresno Pacific University, looks at the situation in this week's Scholars Speak.