EVENTS and PROGRAMS

University Convocation

Spring Semester, 2008

Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Cone Chapel, Waller Hall

The University Convocation series is planned by the students of IDS 202 (Convo: Campus/Community/Cosmos) so the schedule is under constant development throughout the semester. These are the programs scheduled to date.

January 17

Claudia on Claudia - and Other Characters
Claudia Stevens
playwright and performance artist

Playwright and performance artist Claudia Stevens talks about her vocation in the theatre and her connection to the historical characters she recreates on stage. From a concentration camp musician to a Victorian paleontologist, Claudia will discuss how she brings these characters to life.

Trained as a pianist, singer, musicologist and composer, Claudia Stevens holds degrees in music from Vassar College (summa cum laude), the University of California at Berkeley, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano from Boston University. This fall she began a three-year appointment as Visiting Scholar of Music at the College of William and Mary.

Stevens will also perform the original one-person play, Blue Lias - or the Fish Lizard's Whore, at 7:30 p.m. in the Arena Theatre of the University Playhouse. Her appearances on campus are sponsored by the Lilly Project at Willamette.

January 24

Spirit to Spirit: Nikki Giovanni

Once crowned "The Princess of Black Poetry," the prolific and political Nikki Giovanni has become one of America's most popular poets. This film highlights the life and work of a poet whose verse appeals to everyone interested in poetry and modern American life. This lyrical and visually provocative film details a poet's coming of age against the background of her times: the Civil Rights struggle, Vietnam and the Women's Movement. Spirit to Spirit unveils the sly wit and sharp insights of Giovanni's multi-layered work, making it a delightful introduction to this talented poet and incisive social commentator.

Nikki Giovanni is the featured speaker for this years Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration on Friday, January 25.

January 31

Tomorrow’s Global Citizens: Education & the Challenge of Global Climate ChangeFocus the Nation Day

Neil Liss, professor of education, School of Education, Willamette University, will moderate a panel discussion as part of the university's observance of Focus the Nation Day. Panelists will include:

Jon Yoder, science specialist, Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Loren Sell, educator and instructor of education, School of Education, Willamette University
Robin Morris Collin, professor of law, Willamette University
Lindsey Yount, Master of Arts in Teaching, Aspire Class of 2008

Focus the Nation, a nationwide conversation dedicated to finding solutions to global climate change, will take place at more than 1,200 colleges and universities across the nation. Willamette University will host a free day-long symposium and a free concert.

February 7

When All Else Fails - Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

Members of the Salem Amateur Radio Club will explain how amateur radio operators ("hams") provide a valuable service during emergency situations when normal means of communication are not available or practical.

February 14

Project Everlasting: The Secrets of America's Greatest Marriages

Come for a screening of the film by two bachelors from the Portland area and a discussion on how relationships (be they heterosexual or lgbt) are built and why they last. (more information about Project Everlasting)

February 21

Willamette in Africa

Interested in going to Africa? Four Willamette students will show slides and share experiences from their recent study abroad semesters. Panelists include:

Brandon Adams (South Africa)
Hayley Freedman (Ghana)
Tatiana Mac (Egypt)
Kara Casey (Uganda)
Vimbai Chikukwa from Zimbabwe will introduce the panel.

Come hear their stories and ask questions!

This program is part Willamette's Africa Week.

February 28

A Journey through Ironies in Literature and Reality
Ray Black
WU visiting assistant professor of English

Ray Black will speak about his research on irony in slave narratives and about the irony in his journey to becoming a professor. Black currently teaches African-American and American literature with an emphasis on the diversity within American literature. His primary research focus is the antebellum slave narrative and he is working to complete his dissertation, “The Ironic Perspective of William Wells Brown,” for the English Department at the University of Chicago. Come hear this dynamic speaker discuss the path through African American literature, culture and life that led him to Willamette.

March 6

Up Top and Headband

At this week's convocation we will be joined by both of Willamette's a cappella vocal ensembles for a short performance. That's right! Both Headband, the renowned male ensemble, and Up Top, Willamette's brand new female ensemble, will amaze us with their vocal skills and answer any questions the audience might have about a cappella singing.

March 13

Eyes Wide Open
Jeff Hunter, project director

Project coordinator Jeff Hunter will also present material and answer questions about Eyes Wide Open, a touring exhibit created by the American Friends Service Committee. Eyes Wide Open is a living memorial to the military personnel and civilian skilled in Iraq – and a stark reminder to the human and economic cost of war. The exhibit has become so large that it must be broken down by state. The Oregon exhibit comes to Jackson Plaza on Thursday (unless it’s raining, in which case it will be in the 2nd and 3rd floor lobbies of the UC).

March 20

CHICANO, A Quest for Homeland

Join us for a screening and discussion of the film Chicano, A Quest for Homeland. The film examines the beginnings of the Chicano movement through a profile of Reies Lopez Tijernina and the land grant movement in New Mexico in 1966 and ’67. WU student Nancy Garcia will lead the discussion following the screening.

March 27

No Convocation - Spring Break

April 3

Beyond Six Strings: +2 = The Brahms Guitar
Paul Galbraith
Grammy-nominated guitarist

Grammy nominee Paul Galbraith will talk about how he is redefining the concert guitar by adding an additional string to either side of the conventional guitar's six strings and by creating new transcriptions of works until now thought impossible for the instrument.

The Distinguished Artist Mini-Guitar Series "Beyond Six Strings" draws attention to past and current trends in evolution of the guitar. Mr. Galbraith will be performing the opening concert in the series on Friday, April 4, at 8:00 PM in Hudson Hall.

April 10

Is God Green?
Lindsay Moseley
Sierra Club Environmental Partnership Programs/Faith Partnerships

Lindsay Moseley will present the keynote address of the Symposium on Faith and the Environment sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Communities and the Center for Religion, Law and Democracy.

April 17

Hawaiian Ali'i: Ke Ala Aloha (Hawaiian Leaders: Pathway of Love)
Alyssa Braffith
character education coordinator, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama's High School

Alyssa Braffith (whose students affectionately call "Auntie Alyssa") will present a lecture that covers a brief history of ancient Hawai'i, the annexation of Hawai'i by the United States, and current events in the native Hawaiian community. To illustrate the theme of this year's Lu'au, "Mau Ke Aloha No Hawai'i" ("Forever the Love of Hawaii"), she will discuss the Hawaiian Ali'i (monarchy) and how their love for Hawai'i inspired them to lead with strong values: as she would say, "the heart of a servant, the courage of a warrior, and the walk of a humble person..."

The deeply spiritual culture of native Hawaiians that envelops the islands still shapes the children raised there, regardless of their individual ethnicity, cultural background, or social standing. This same native culture has helped the Hawaiian people to thrive, despite many misfortunes. Alyssa will also discuss the importance of leadership, love for one's home, and the education of youth. She brings with her, the "aloha spirit" from Hawai'i and lessons from great leaders there that are applicable here at Willamette.

April 24

Widmer Brothers Brewing: Great Beer from Process to Production

A representative of one of the Northwest's first craft breweries will tell the history of Widmer Brothers, talk about how they make their beer, and answer any questions you may have about brewing. No free samples, unfortunately.