Focus Sessions I - 1:00 pm - 2:30 p.m.
"Help Educate to Respect Diversity"
Muller Hall Refectory
Presented by: Valparaiso High School Students & Elementary Students
Description: V.H.S. students will explain the H.E.R.D. program which teaches respect for differences to elementary students.
Theme: The Time is Now
"What Does White Racial Identity Have to Do With MLK Day?"
Mueller Room 4
Presented by: Michael Gottfried - V.U. Counseling Center and Jane Bello-Brunson, Office of Multi-cultural Affairs
Description: A brief presentation of White Racial Identity models followed by a discussion of how Whites' Racial Identities both divide and bring Whites together.
Theme: Social Integration
"Greek Life in Black & White: Integration or Separation?"
Mueller 114
Presented by: Angie Lusk and Terra Smith
Description: An open panel discussion about traditional African American Sororities and predominantly White sororities on V.U.'s campus and issues involved in thinking about integration.
Theme: Social Integration
"American Art and National Identity"
Brauer Museum
Presented by: David Morgan
Description: This session will discuss an exhibition in the Brauer Museum on National Identity as well as the work of Romare Bearden who was a prestigious 20th century African American artist.
Theme: Social Integration
"Human Rights: Tibet - Now or Never"
Union - Crusader Room
Presented by: Rebecca Roose
Description: Participants will receive an introduction to the issues in Tibet and will then be able to participate in a role play involving the United Nations, Tibet and The People's Republic of China.
Theme: The Time is Always Ripe to Do the Right Thing.
"It's About Time"
VUCA 1412
Presented by: Dorothy Bass
Description: The program will consider the social sources of the problem of an accelerated pace of time in the workplace and in pursuit of leisure. Responses to this problem suggested by traditions of faith will also be presented in the course of the conversation.
Theme: The Time is Now
"Is Your God a Bigot?"
Presented by: Rev. Cherie Isakson & Rev. Patrick Ormos
Description: An interactive workshop using handouts to facilitate small group discussion of alternate Scriptural texts on bigotry and diversity.
Theme: Christian Discipleship
"The Ripe Time to Dance"
Union - Great Hall
Presented by: "Fresh" Edwina Lake-Barrage
Description: Program focuses on misperceptions surrounding hip-hop and the historical and cultural background of this form of expression. Will also teach people how to learn a new way of thinking and moving.
Theme: Social Integration
"The Power of One: Christian Discipleship vs. Discriminatory Institutions"
Mueller - Room 5
Presented by: John Knox - Department of Geography
Description: A discussion oriented session that will look at Christian questions such as "How did the fledgling Christian Church, in the person of Paul, confront the slaver Philemon concerning his escaped slave Onesimus? & How is this confrontation compromised today by the complicity of the church with discriminatory institutions?"
Theme:Christian Discipleship
"The Real Game of Life - Past and Present"
Memorial / Guild Hall basement
Presented by: Jennifer Sales & Amanda Bergstrum (Student Social Work Organization)
Description: A life-sized game board will be used as players move in the past and the future based on race and gender. The game will facilitate discussion about how discrimination affects the lives of groups of people.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"Is a Racist Fit to be a Lawyer?: First Amendment Rights and the Matthew Hale Case"
Law School - Tabor Classroom
Presented by: Panel of Lawyers and the attorney of Matthew Hale
Description: Program will consider First Amendment and legal ethics issues surrounding the character and fitness requirements for admission to the bar, focusing on the recent Matthew Hale case in Illinois.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"A View From Inside a Study Circle: A Dialogue on Race Relations"
Mueller - Room 3
Presented by: Bill Marion, Rosalind Duplechain, Greg Jones, Andrea Greenwood, Jane Claiborne
Description: This session will demonstrate how a study circle works (the process and content) and share their experiences of participating in a circle designed to better race relations at Valparaiso University.
Theme: Social Integration
"Eliminating Child Pornography on the Internet"
Union - Squire Room
Presented by: Senior Special Agent Jim Gibbons - U.S. Customs Service
Description: This program will introduce people to the US Custom's Service Cyber Smuggling Unit and the ways in which we as caretakers of all young people can help prevent the spread and publication of child pornography on the Internet.
Theme: The Time is Now
Focus Sessions II - 2:45 pm - 3:45 p.m.
"Abortion During Birth"
Mueller Room - 4
Presented by: Richard Stith
Description: Is abortion in mid-pregnancy the same as killing a baby during delivery? The emerging claims from judges, philosophers and hospitals will be examined in light of Dr. King's principles of non-violence and equal human dignity.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"Hate Crimes: How long will We Wait?"
Mueller Room - 2
Presented by: Kelli Olson and Katie Stuckemeyer
Description: Information concerning hate crimes legislation in Indiana and the U.S. will be presented as participants discuss and observe role-plays illustrating the impact of such crimes and the ways this violence can be stopped.
Theme: The Time is Now
"African American Poetry - listen to the voices"
Mueller Room - 3
Presented by: Essence Malone, Carol Malone, Nathan Burbank, Renee Dysert, Armando Fernandez & Michael Caldwell.
Description: Students will read selections of African American poets who differ in the way they see race relations in the U.S. Listen to and think about their opinions as the poems are read and discussed.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"What is Jesus' Heart for Freedom and Justice?"
VUCA - 1409
Presented by: Edwina Shields & Sue Nathan
Description: In a combination of lecture and interaction, this session will address the question of "what should justice and freedom look like in the 21st century? Is it possible to reach these goals? What part does Jesus play, what part do I play?
Theme: Christian Discipleship
"Let's Party Together"
Guild / Memorial Basement
Presented by: Peer Educators of the Office of Drug and Alcohol Education
Description: In a session that includes food and drink, participants will examine how advertising affects our individual and social group habits in terms of type of alcoholic drink we choose and way in which we party.
Theme: Social Integration
"The Steps Toward Unity Guided by the Light of God's Knowledge: The Bahai Faith Approach"
Union - Squire Room
Presented by: Aubrey Reisetter, Brook & David Oberst
Description: This workshop will provide a dramatic demonstration of the strategies set out by Bahavillah. Simulations, brief video clips and role-playing will allow participants to experience these strategies for themselves.
Theme: Social Integration
"Created Equal: Continuing Controversy Over the Meaning of these Words in the Declaration of Independence."
Law School - Tabor Classroom
Presented by: George Anastaplo, Loyola School of Law faculty member
Description: This program will consider the intended meaning of the words: "created equal" in the Declaration of Independence and the controversy concerning this language that has continued throughout the years.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"I was in Prison and You Visited Me . . . ."
Union - Crusader Room
Presented by: Lorri Swanson, Rebecca Boardman, Greg Jones
Description: Students will share their experiences as interns at Westville Correctional Facility and Professor Jones will share his experience in working with prisoners. Participants should expect a lively discussion as issues of race, compassion, and ministry are pursued.
Theme: Christian Discipleship
"A Try for Truth: The Literary Commitments of Nadine Gardimer"
VUCA - 1412
Presented by: Sarah Davis
Description: In an interactive format, the work and life of Nadine Gardimer who was an activist and writer in South Africa during apartheid will be discussed. Attention will be given to her position as a white women writer and the relationship of private and political life in South Africa and the U.S.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
"Diversity and the Greek System"
Mueller - Room 1
Presented by: Michael Fick and others
Description: A panel of people representing ethnic, racial , religious and sexual minorities within VU's Greek system will discuss the challenges and benefits of including previously excluded populations in the Greek system.
Theme: Social Integration
"Through the eyes of Children : Multiracial & Multicultural Observations"
Mueller - Refectory
Presented by: Faculty of V.U. Department of Social Work
Description: This program will look at MLK Jr.'s Dream that all children would grow up together. Through video, story and interaction the program will help participants examine the 'state' of Martin Luther King's dream and will discuss how children Learn to be multicultural and multiracial.
Theme: The Trumpet of Conscience
