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Leaders highlight visions for new academic year
August 30, 2007
Campus leaders shared their vision for the academic year in a variety of speeches during the University Conference for faculty and staff.
Faculty and staff gathered in Olson Auditorium on Wednesday, Aug. 29 to officially begin the new academic year with speeches by President Loren Anderson and special guest Tom Christianson, philosophy professor at Capital University in Ohio.
President Loren Anderson ushered in the year with his annual State of the University address. Titled “The Big Here and Long Now: People, Possibilities and Purpose,” his talk recognized the successes of faculty and staff over the past year, reflected on the university’s ability to build on those accomplishments and expressed his belief that PLU’s successes arise from its clear mission, vision and purpose. Read the full speech here.
Following Anderson’s address, Christenson discussed why Lutheran colleges and universities are needed in this day and age. Among his reasons were that Lutheran institutions embody “radical human freedom,” are critically engaged and challenge the assumptions of the day, take the education of the individual seriously, take peace and justice seriously, and focus on serving the needs of the world.
Religion professor Sam Torvend, anthropology professor Elizabeth Brusco and campus pastor the Rev. Dennis Sepper reflected on Christenson’s speech and related his points to a PLU education.
The University Conference continued on Thursday, Aug. 30 with an address and introduction of new faculty members by Provost Patricia O’Connell Killen and an address by Faculty Chair Erin McKenna. University Pastor Dennis Sepper gave the Fall Conference Chapel homily on Wednesday, Aug. 29.
Finally, Anderson welcomed new and returning students back to campus at Opening Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 4 in Olson Auditorium.
President Loren Anderson ushered in the year with his annual State of the University address. Titled “The Big Here and Long Now: People, Possibilities and Purpose,” his talk recognized the successes of faculty and staff over the past year, reflected on the university’s ability to build on those accomplishments and expressed his belief that PLU’s successes arise from its clear mission, vision and purpose. Read the full speech here.
Following Anderson’s address, Christenson discussed why Lutheran colleges and universities are needed in this day and age. Among his reasons were that Lutheran institutions embody “radical human freedom,” are critically engaged and challenge the assumptions of the day, take the education of the individual seriously, take peace and justice seriously, and focus on serving the needs of the world.
Religion professor Sam Torvend, anthropology professor Elizabeth Brusco and campus pastor the Rev. Dennis Sepper reflected on Christenson’s speech and related his points to a PLU education.
The University Conference continued on Thursday, Aug. 30 with an address and introduction of new faculty members by Provost Patricia O’Connell Killen and an address by Faculty Chair Erin McKenna. University Pastor Dennis Sepper gave the Fall Conference Chapel homily on Wednesday, Aug. 29.
Finally, Anderson welcomed new and returning students back to campus at Opening Convocation on Tuesday, Sept. 4 in Olson Auditorium.