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Leaders highlight successes and possibilities
September 06, 2007
Campus leaders shared their vision for the new academic year in a variety of speeches.
At Opening Convocation on Sept. 4, President Loren Anderson welcomed new and returning students to campus with his speech, “It’s Your Choices…”
At Fall Conference on Aug. 29, faculty and staff welcomed the new academic year with speeches by Anderson and special guest Tom Christianson, philosophy professor at Capital University in Ohio.
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.
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.
At Fall Conference on Aug. 29, faculty and staff welcomed the new academic year with speeches by Anderson and special guest Tom Christianson, philosophy professor at Capital University in Ohio.
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.
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.