Convocation and Lecture Series

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Convocation

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Convocation is an all-school assembly that generally meets twice weekly during the term. It is an integral part of the liberal arts education experience at Bethel. Guest lecturers, performing groups and audio/visual presentations provide students with a wide ranging exposure to issues in politics, society, religion, the arts and sciences. The convocation experience is designed to help build community, broaden horizons and explore basic value issues. Dale Schrag, director of Church Relations, serves as convocation coordinator.

Fall 2010 Schedule
Aug. 30  Formal opening of school: The Art of Wondering
Dr. Brad Born, vice president for academic affairs
Sept. 3 Introduction of new faculty/staff and introduction to convocation
Sept. 6 The Night I Met Einstein
Dr. Perry D. White, president
Sept. 10 Impacting the World
Robert William, director of international student services/program manager, Brethren Colleges Abroad, Elizabethtown, Pa.
Sept. 13 Student Senate Convocation and Club Fair
Sept. 17 Political candidates’ forum
Sept. 20 The God of Isaiah: A Jewish Reading of the Prophet
Dr. Nissim Wernick, rabbi of Ahavath Achim Hebrew Congregation, Wichita
Sept. 23 World Café: A Community Exercise
Chad Childs, vice president for student life, facilitator (This convocation will be held in Memorial Hall.)
Sept. 27 Journey in the Diaspora: A Personal Story
Bassima Schbley, assistant professor of social work, Washburn University, Topeka
Oct. 1 Student study abroad reports
Oct. 4 Undergraduate Research, Internships and Creative Activity (URICA) reports
Oct. 8 Fall Festival Convocation: Bethel’s Got Talent
Oct. 11 Site Inspired
Jennifer Miller, adjunct instructor, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Lakewood, Colo.
Oct. 15 Beating Time
Daniel Hege, music director and conductor, Wichita Symphony Orchestra and Syracuse (New York) Symphony Orchestra
Oct. 18 NO CONVOCATION — Fall Break
Oct. 22 Broadcasting Belief: Faith, Media and Culture
Walt Wiltschek, campus pastor, Manchester College, North Manchester, Ind., and former editor of The Messenger, denominational magazine of the Church of the Brethren
Oct. 25 Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers: How la causa Turned from Triumph to Tragedy, and Why the Unraveling of This Remarkable ‘60s Social Justice Movement Matters
Miriam Pawel, former LA Times editor/reporter, and author of The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope and Struggle in Cesar Chavez’s Farm Worker Movement
Oct. 29 Stories from the Mountain Kingdom
Makoala Marake, the “herdboy professor,” department of soil science and resource conservation, National University of Lesotho, Roma
Nov. 1 Menno Simons Lecture: The Christian Faith in Global Perspective
John D. Roth, professor of history, Goshen College, Goshen, Ind.
Nov. 5 Lies in the Land of Promise: Reflections from Jerusalem
Peter Miller, resident director, Warkentin Court, and former service worker with Mennonite Central Committee in Jerusalem
Nov. 8 Loving Your Enemies: Did Jesus Really Mean It?
Frank Cordaro, former parish Priest and founder and member of the Des Moines Catholic Worker community, Des Moines, Iowa
Nov. 12 A Latino Perspective on the Arizona Immigration Law
Felipe Hinojosa, Texas A&M University, College Station
Nov. 15 Honors Convocation: Reflections from a Life of Teaching
Dr. William Eash, professor of music, and recipient of the 2010 Ralph P. Schrag Distinguished Teaching Award
Nov. 19 Ugandan Advocates: Peace and Proscovia
Jenna Ingrassia, Middle America team leader, Invisible Children Face to Face Tour
Nov. 22 Making Bethel College ‘Greener’
Roger Reimer, maintenance technician, Gary Histand, professor of chemistry, and friends
Nov. 26 NO CONVOCATION — Thanksgiving Break
Nov. 29 Called to Greatness
Wayne Simien, former All-American basketball player at the University of Kansas and member of the 2005-06 NBA champion Miami Heat
Dec. 3 To be announced
Dec. 6 Biology: A Lifelong Affair
Francisca Méndez-Harclerode, assistant professor of biology
Dec. 10 Messiah sing
Featuring the Bethel College orchestra, student soloists and conductors and all of us in the chorus (This convocation takes place in Bethel College Mennonite Church.)

Past Convocations

This list is constructed from the published convocation brochures, which may not necessarily reflect last-minute changes to the convo schedule.

2010

2000-2009

1990-1999

1980-1989

1974-1979