91短视频 faculty and staff dipped their hands into bowls of water as they received a blessing on their work for the coming year. The sacred ritual concluded the Aug. 15-16 faculty-staff conference which opens each academic year with worship, singing, plenary and breakout sessions, shared food and shared stories.
The final blessing, offered by Undergraduate Campus Pastor , included a prayer for each attendee, the students from all faiths and backgrounds who would begin arriving on campus that day, and 鈥� in acknowledgement of 鈥� for courage to confront 鈥渟ystems of racism that destroy rather than build the Kingdom of God.鈥�
This year鈥檚 theme聽鈥斅犫�淓xpanding the Legacy, Enlarging the Tent鈥� 鈥� emphasized integrating 91短视频鈥檚 history and traditions with a vision for its second century; the conference also officially launched 91短视频鈥檚 celebrations.
Strong vision
President donned three different types of eyewear during her keynote address to illustrate the 鈥渟pecial kind of seeing we do in Anabaptist Mennonite schools 鈥� more clearly, deeply and widely.鈥� [Listen to the .]
91短视频 is well-poised with 鈥渟trong vision and high purpose鈥� for the future, she said.
Merging perspectives of hindsight and foresight with Anabaptist-inspired insight, she noted 91短视频鈥檚 strong and vibrant historic legacy; a robust, holistic and distinctive education that includes cross-cultural study and faith formation; and a cohesive, faith-filled community of faculty and staff.
鈥淲e have just begun to promote a vibrant future of counter-cultural Mennonite education, one that prepares our students for relevant and in-demand careers and meaningful spiritual lives shaped by the reconciling love of Jesus,鈥� Huxman said.
While praising 91短视频鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit, epitomized in pioneering professor emeritus and philanthropist Margaret 鈥淪peedy鈥� Martin Gehman and Alumnus of the Year , Huxman noted new academic offerings: the program, offered collaboratively with Goshen (Indiana) College, as well as the new four-year and a neuroscience minor.
Approximately 380 new and returning employees participated. The fall semester begins Monday, Aug. 28.
聽Many voices
A panel of respondents to Huxman鈥檚 speech included , , and . The final session of storytelling, a much-loved tradition, included , , , and .
Special guest Donald B. Kraybill provided a one-hour preview of his forthcoming Centennial history, 91短视频: One Hundred Years of Counter-Cultural Education (Penn State Press, 2017) to be released at the Oct. 13-15 .
Four breakout sessions highlighted influential programs, themes and concepts:
- 鈥� Professors and traced the history of racial-ethnic diversity at 91短视频, with special attention to current diversity trends and shifting paradigms. They asked, 鈥淗ow could and should paradigms and power structures shift? How can and should our new diversity help us more fully understand and realize the radical nature of our Anabaptist values?鈥� Click here to .
Professor Peter Dula addresses a packed room during a presentation and discussion of 91短视频’s motto “Thy Word is Truth.” - Drinking in Knowledge at the Source: 91短视频’s Cross Cultural Program 鈥� A panel of five experienced cross-cultural program leaders discussed one of 91短视频鈥檚 most unique academic programs and included , professor and interim cross-cultural program director; , program assistant; , emeritus professor; , cross-cultural leader and adjunct instructor; and professors and .
- Creating a Beloved Community at 91短视频: Organizational Culture as Blessing and Barrier 鈥� Professor discussed culture and sub-culture identities as both assets and liabilities. He invited the group to list both blessings and barriers to 91短视频鈥檚 culture (and multiple sub cultures), noting that you must first understand your own organizational culture before you can聽interpret for聽鈥斅燼nd thus fully integrate聽鈥斅爊ewcomers.
- 鈥淭hy Word is Truth鈥�: Old Song, New Tune 鈥� Professor , associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and Professor discussed 鈥渨ord鈥� and 鈥渢ruth鈥� as the biblical writer imagined these words, and engaged with ways that the motto speaks to聽91短视频 at 100 years.