(Posted October 19, 2015)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Joseph Gershtenson, professor of government at Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Ky., will give a talk on "In Government We Distrust" at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 19, at Juniata College in Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The talk is sponsored by Juniata's Department of Politics.

Gershtenson will talk about how an overwhelming majority of Americans express some lack of faith in their government. Gershtenson will argue that skepticism of government and government officials is part of the very fabric of the founding of the American nation. He points out that skepticism is reflected in political theory embraced by the framers of the Constitution and the governmental structure created by that document -- possibly making questioning the government a patriotic act.

Gershtenson is a specialist in public opinion and elections and focuses most of his research on the level of trust American have in local, state and federal governments. He teaches courses in research methods, Kentucky Government and Politics and American Government.

In addition to teaching duties, Gershtenson is a member of the Center for Appalachian Regional Engagement and Stewardship, which collaborates with communities in Kentucky to lend resources and expertise on local issues.

He earned a bachelor's degree at Georgetown University and went on to earn a master's degree from the University of California-San Diego. He earned a doctorate in political science from the University of Texas.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.