Covenant News - Campus Theme Program Stimulates Critical Thinking

Covenant News

Campus Theme Program Stimulates Critical Thinking

CHICAGO, IL (August 9, 2005) - A Grammy-award winning gospel singer, a New York Times best selling author, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and an internationally renowned theologian will speak on the North Park University campus this academic year as part of the school's Campus Theme Program.

Each year, a different question is addressed on campus throughout the year in a variety of settings. Past themes have included: "What is justice?", "Who is my neighbor?", and "Who is God?" This year's theme question is, "What is a life of significance?"

Mavis Staples has long been recognized as a leader in Gospel music. Kathleen Norris' best-selling books have included Dakota and Amazing Grace. Kathy Kelly has been nominated for the Nobel Prize three times, having traveled to Iraq more than 20 times in recent years. And, theologian Gustavo Gutierrez authored the groundbreaking Theology of Liberation.

"The Campus Theme committee worked very hard to put together a slate of presenters and highlighted individuals who are very diverse," says Jennifer Pope, who coordinates theme activities. Over the years, presenters have represented Latino, African American, European, Southeast Asian, and Native American heritages. "They are male and female, young and old, Protestant and Catholic. They are poets, musicians, filmmakers, protesters, authors, theologians, and civil servants," she notes. Past speakers have included Bart Campolo, Dick Staub, Anne Lamott, and Hedda Sharapan, the associate producer of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

Pope says the programs have influenced students' career decisions, leading some students to travel across the country to participate in rallies and serving as a catalyst for workshops that involved working with local neighborhoods.

The theme program seeks to combine academics with extra-curricular activities. Programs also are open to the public. Each year's campus theme includes a wide variety of forums including lectures, artistic events, film festivals, outreach opportunities, chapel services, and residence hall community development programs.

Scheduled special events this year include:

An Evening with Mavis Staples: Stories and Music from Her Life, 7 p.m. September 9. Tickets are $15. A limited number for NPU students are available for $5.
Writing a Life: A Lecture by Esmeralda Santiago, 7 p.m., November 3. Tickets are $15, with group rates available.
Being the Church of the Poor: Liberation Theology and a Life of Service, Gustavo Gutierrez, date to be announced.
Imagining Native Lives of Significance: The First Nations Film and Video Festival, hosted around the city November 14-20. Check Film Venues for a list of locations.
Statesman and Peacemaker: A Symposium and Exhibit in Honor of Dag Hammarskjold, January 26.
The Beatitudes and Our Response-ability today, a series by Kathy Kelly, February 26-28.
Shaping a Life that Matters: An Evening with Kathleen Norris, April 6, 2006. Tickets are $15. Group rates are available.

All tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 773-244-5553, where additional information on event locations also can be obtained.

Each month, the campus will show films about people who have led lives of significance, with discussion to follow. Films planned are Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story, Romero (Oscar Romero), Luther, St. Patrick: The Irish Legend, Ghandi, Writing a Life (Esmeralda Santiago), Brother Sun, Sister Moon (St. Francis of Assisi), and a film sharing the life of Martin Luther King.

For more information on the campus theme program, please visit the theme website at Campus Theme.

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