Summer is officially over with the call of autumn, leaves falling, and finally some temperatures below 90 degrees. As we head into fall and further into the fall semester, make sure you take a break from studying, emails, and meetings to enjoy some of the various events scheduled, such as athletics, performance arts, convocations, and other engaging opportunities.
Updates
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Building Bridges and Community Day
Building Bridges and Community Day will be Tuesday, November 5th. This campus-wide event is focused on creating intentional opportunities for all of us to better understand the wonderful variety of voices and perspectives represented by the nearly 2,000 people who make up our lively and energetic campus.
This is an invitation to propose a workshop or event to be included in Building Bridges and Community Day. Staff, faculty, and students are encouraged to propose events and workshops. The different types of events, workshops, and spaces we are inviting include:
- INCLUSIVITY TRAINING: teaching principles and practices for fostering a more inclusive community
- SHARING FORUMS: events where groups share their experiences and perspectives with the larger community
- TALKING ACROSS DIFFERENCE: discussion and/or training events that invite participants to engage in civil dialogues from different perspectives and/or provide the skills to do so
- BRIDGES: events/spaces that invite people from varied parts of the community to engage with one another while learning a fun and meaningful skill or practice
Last year, events and workshops included: Practice Perfect Pronouns, Ally Training, LGBT Panel, Muslim in America Panel, Economics of Diversity, Community Building and Theatre, Hip Hop Modern Poetry, Kathak/Bollywood Dancing, ASL, and Labyrinth Meditations
If you would like to offer one of the above events or propose a new event please provide the below information to andrea.abrams@centre.edu no later than Monday, October 7th.
- Title of event
- Description of the event
- Facilitators
- Length: 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, or 3 hours
Interested in being more involved with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion? Consider attending one of our regular programs: Turn up @ the Suite, Centre-ing Art & Culture, and Beloved Community Lunches. Check our Diversity Updates page for an events calendar, information about programming, and the ODI Matters archives.
Recap
September flew by! We hosted the first New Horizons Scholars meeting of the year with our co-adviser, Adriana Martin. We enjoyed our first Expo, tabling as an office and with members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. And, we facilitated a retreat for our Intercultural Council to start this year off right!
Quick Takes
In a colossal cross-campus collaboration, we've complied student resources in one, easy-to-find location on Centre's website! From academic advising to the Writing Center, and everything in between, you can find information, resources, and contacts to help you be successful at Centre.
Since relaunching this past August, over 100 faculty, staff, and students have participated in a Centre Ally Training Series (CATS) session. Don't worry, though, because there are plenty of sessions coming up, both during the day and at night, and by request. Please visit the CATS Homepage below to read more, find the schedule, and register for a session today!
Title IX Corner
- Maple Tree Gallery, located on Main Street, sells Handmade by Survivors products from GreenHouse 17. Products include soaps, salves, and lip balms with fun slogans like “Don’t tell me to smile.” All Centre students, faculty, and staff receive 10% off products at Maple Tree Gallery. See more information at the following link: https://greenhouse17.org/support-us/handmade-by-survivors/
- Thank you to all of the students who attended Taco Tuesday with Title IX. The Title IX Committee had a great time chatting with you!
- October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Check out the book display at the Grace Doherty Library and keep your eyes peeled for helpful information posted around campus.
- Interested in joining SPEAC (Students for Prevention, Education, and Advocacy in the Community)? Let SPEAC know what your interests and passion projects are by filling out the application: https://centre.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5da7p5zzErVvF9X
Thank you to everyone who had a part in: International Student Orientation (8/21-8/27), Chinese Club's Welcome Party / Mid-Autumn Festival (9/14), and International Student Association (ISA)'s Intercultural Retreat (9/21). We hope these events have helped bring together everyone to build great friendships and create lasting memories. See pictures below!
International Conversation Hour on Thursday 10/10 and 10/24 (and continuing every other Thursday) from 4:00p-5:30p in Young 246.
Note that ICH is intended to be an informal gathering open for all students, faculty, and staff who want to relax and converse together. Participants might play games or discuss questions, family traditions, favorite foods, holiday customs, etc. The topic at 10/10's meeting will be Greek Life. For more information, please reach out to Karen Tubb (karen.tubb@centre.edu).
Food Night "Soy Sauce & Eggs" on Friday 10/4.
For this session of food night, Japanese Club will focus on soy sauce and eggs. You will see how soy sauce plays an important role in making food taste of "real Japanese." We will also use soy sauce to make tamagoyaki, or Japanese rolled omelet, using a frying pan specifically made for this tamagoyaki. It's so difficult but fun to try! Do not miss this chance to experience this intricate cooking tradition of Japan.
Karaoke Night on Friday either 10/11 or 10/25.
Japanese Club will have Karaoke Night on either of the above dates. Come and hang out!
Picnic at Dr. Dixon's house in Mid-October.
Last but not least, Japanese Club will be having a picnic event at Dr. Dixon's house. As many of you know, Dr. Dixon teaches Japanese at Centre. He grows vegetables and crops in his backyard garden while practicing a technique called "natural farming" that is gaining growing popularity in Japan. Participants will see how vegetables can be grown naturally and then try making some Japanese dishes, of course. The date for this is not yet determined, but it should happen sometime in October since that is the harvesting season and before the first frost comes.
For more information and/or to RSVP for Japanese Club events, please contact Japanese Club President Katsuhiro Suzushima (katsuhiro.suzushima@centre.edu ).
Religious Life
The Violins of Hope (VOH) series is a collective of more than 50 restored instruments once played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust. The instruments survived concentration camps, pogroms, and many long journeys. They were lovingly restored by Israeli violin maker Amnon Weinstein.
Centre’s Jewish Student Organization has received 55 copies of James A. Grymes’ book, Violins of Hope: Violins of the Holocaust – Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour, and will host book group discussions in October. Contact shana.sippy@centre.edu. JSO will also be organizing transportation to hear James A. Grymes speak at Bellarmine on October 23.
Fall Break Trip
Religious Life Office and CentrePeace Fall Break Trip to Montgomery AL. The two-day trip includes:
- The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (lynching memorial designed by Bryan Stevenson)
- The Civil Rights Memorial
- The Southern Poverty Law Center
- The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma
Email rick.axtell@centre.edu or Rebecca.markham@centre.edu.
New this year:
- Baptist Fellowship—Tuesdays at 7:30p in Wiseman Lounge
- Catholic Mass—Tuesdays, Sept 17, Oct 1, Oct 15, Oct 29 at 9:00p in Ewen
- Episcopal Compline Prayer—Thursdays at 7:00p in CC 202
- Muslim Student Association Friday prayer in Yerkes prayer room
Other News
Diversity & Inclusion Convocation: Alternatives to Violence in Honduras, Common Hour on the 31st of October in the Vahlkamp Theater. In Spanish with translation.
Honduras has been in the headlines as one of the three Northern Triangle countries of Central America from which many immigrants have been seeking entry into the United States. One root cause of asylum claims is human rights violations. This convocation presents a look into social movements in Honduras that are working for justice and human rights. Our speaker is from Movimiento Amplio por la Dignidad y la Justicia (MADJ). MADJ is a social and political movement committed to working against impunity and corruption while building alternatives rooted in transparency, dignity, and respect for human rights and the environment. MADJ communities are protecting their natural resources from unlawful exploitation through resistance camps, legal battles, and incredible grassroots organizing. Their legal team represents the family of activist Berta Caceres in their struggle for justice for her assassination, and they have been on the front lines of resistance in the post-electoral crisis in Honduras. Ultimately, this convocation is a hopeful look at how Hondurans are working to solve their social problems.
You can view the Religious Life Office's web page from the link below to see more information about local congregations, religious fellowship on campus, and religious holidays & activities. For more information about Religious Life, please contact Dr. Rick Axtell.
Calendar
Visit our ODI Calendar to see events, holidays, and important dates. You can view this calendar and our archives of ODI Matters at our Centrenet Site.
October 1, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community: Our Stories. Join us in the Intercultural Suite with your lunch as we get to know each other better by telling our own stories to each other. Everyone has a story and is encouraged to share.
October 1, 11:30a, US and Russia: A Cultural Ideology, Diversity Convocation, Weisiger Theatre. Part of the newly endowed CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS program, this Common Hour talk will focus on the current perceptions Americans have on Russia and also the perceptions Russians have on the US. More importantly, this discussion will include the value of the arts and culture as a way to show that we are more alike than different. With all that is being said about the current relationship between America and Russia, here is an opportunity for Centre students to engage with young Russian musicians and have a meaningful dialogue. The panelists for this program: Jaclyn Johnson, Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics, Centre College; specialty is international ideologies; Johann Van Niekerk, Assistant Professor of Music, Centre College; Johann is teaching a course on Music and Power this term; Karen Petrone, Professor and Chair of the Department of History, University of Kentucky, cultural historian specializing in everyday life in Russia and the Soviet Union; and Russian Renaissance.
October 1, 7:30p-9:30p, Russian Renaissance, Norton Center for the Arts, ticketed event. Through stunning performances of everything from tango and folk to Classical and jazz, Russian Renaissance is redefining the possibilities of their traditional Russian folk instruments (balalaika, domra/domra alto, button accordion, and balalaika contrabasso) and capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. What makes Russian Renaissance truly special is their ability to both dazzle with breathtaking style and touch the hearts of listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
October 2, 11:30a-12:30p, Centre-ing Art and Culture Series, Intercultural Suite. Create your own art during our series as we delve into learning about our identities and cultures through art.
October 3, 11:30a, BREATHE, Men of Color Support Group. RSVP or Questions to crystal.mcpherson@centre.edu.
October 3, 7:00p, The Defamation Experience, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Weisiger Theatre. The Defamation Experience is a three-phase interactive diversity experience that starts with the play DEFAMATION, a riveting courtroom drama that highlights our common perceptions of race, class, religion, gender, and the law with a twist; your audience is the jury. After the trial, your jury will deliberate with our judge about how they voted and why to render a final verdict. Following the verdict is a post-discussion to talk about the issues raised in the play and other social issues that are important to the audience.
October 3, 8:00p, Crounse 302. Life Raft. Cultivating a healthy relationship with alcohol and drugs. For more information, email liferaft@centre.edu.
October 7, 4:00p-5:00, Ampersand on Campus Drop-In Space, Presentation Screening Room of the Library. You are invited to speak with an Ampersand counselor/educator at this time. More information about their free, confidential services is available on their website. To make an appointment, contact the Danville office at (859) 236-4445.
October 8, 7:00p, Archives of Justice: Digital Humanities and Historical Methods, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Weisiger Theatre. Harvard professor Dr. Lorgia García-Peña will give a Humana lecture about themes connected to her book, The Borders of Dominicanidad by Duke University Press. She will discuss the problems with archives and the production of knowledge, detail methods of her research, and show examples of the digital humanities project she is currently undertaking. Copies of Dr. García-Peña's book will be available after the talk.
October 10, 4:00p-5:30p, Young 246, International Conversation Hour. ICH is intended to be an informal gathering open for all students, faculty, and staff who want to relax and converse together. Participants might play games or discuss questions, family traditions, favorite foods, holiday customs, etc.
October 13, 5:00p, Interfaith Dialogue, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Vahlkamp Theater. The Interfaith Dialogue Panel returns for a third year to Centre’s campus, featuring speakers from three faith traditions, including Jainism, Christianity, and Islam. CentreFaith presents a convocation of thought-provoking discussion between individuals of different backgrounds on the subject of religion. The panelists will engage in conversation with each other about their experiences, beliefs, and the intersections that exist therein. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from and interact with local community leaders about how their tradition coexists with others and how each leader experiences life in Kentucky as a person of faith. Respectful conversation and creating a compassionate environment for members of Centre’s community to share their stories is vital. Predetermined questions will initially guide the panelists’ conversation to introduce interfaith dialogue. However, throughout the convocation, students will be encouraged to electronically and anonymously submit relevant questions that may be asked to the panelists for further discussion.
October 15, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community: Courageous Conversations, Intercultural Suite. For curious and respectful inquiry around current events related to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. Topic to be announced on our social media. Bring your lunch and dive in!
October 16, 11:30a-12:30p, CATS: Pronouns and Gender Inclusive Language session to commemorate International Pronouns Day. In this session, we will develop an understanding of how to use gendered and ungendered language, specifically pronouns; build capacity for practicing allyship in regards to language; practice making and correcting own mistakes and others; and understand the importance of language in regards to the transgender and gender non-conforming communities. Please visit the CATS website to register.
October 17, 11:30a-12:30p, Ampersand on Campus Drop-In Space, Presentation Screening Room of the Library. You are invited to speak with an Ampersand counselor/educator at this time. More information about their free, confidential services is available on their website. To make an appointment, contact the Danville office at (859) 236-4445.
October 23, 11:30a-12:30p, Turn Up @ The Suite, Intercultural Suite. Whether you've never been to the Intercultural Suite before or you spend all of your free time there, drop in to say hello, check out our library, and hang out with staff from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
October 23, 7:00p, Giving Some Perspective: Contextualizing Racism and Examining Social Support Provision in Race-Related Contexts, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Young 113. Racism is a system of oppression with both racial actors and racial subjects who play different roles. To understand how to combat racism, most social psychological research has focused on racial actors—the people who perpetuate racism (e.g., White Americans). Unfortunately, such a focus neglects racial subjects—the people who are victimized by racism. Dr. Christopher Marshburn is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Kentucky whose research aims to reduce this disparity by focusing on how Black Americans cope with the consequences of racism, especially in interpersonal interactions. In this talk, he will offer an understanding of racism using a historical perspective to link the past to the present. He will discuss how his attention shifted from primarily investigating racial actors to also exploring racial subjects. Finally, he will present findings from a mixed-method research project that examined how social support in response to racism affected Black Americans’ emotional well-being in same- and cross-race interpersonal interactions.
October 23, James A. Grymes’ talk on Violins of Hope: Violins of the Holocaust – Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour at Bellarmine. See the description above in the Religious Life section.
October 24, 4:00p-5:30p, Young 246, International Conversation Hour. ICH is intended to be an informal gathering open for all students, faculty, and staff who want to relax and converse together. Participants might play games or discuss questions, family traditions, favorite foods, holiday customs, etc.
October 24, 7:15p, CATS: Gender Identities session. We will deep dive into concepts of sex, gender, and gender identity; build language around gender identities; develop an understanding of diverse transgender experiences; and build our capacity for allyship across various gender identities. Please visit the CATS website to register.
October 28, 11:30a, CATS: LGBTQIA+ 101 session. We will develop vocabulary around basic LGBTQIA+ identities and concepts; develop a fundamental and diverse understanding of experiences in LGBTQIA+ communities; and develop actionable skills to create and sustain an inclusive climate on campus. Please visit the CATS website to register.
October 28, 8:00p, Punishment, Religion, Prison, and Death, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Young 113. “Banning Bibles: The Death Penalty Jury and ‘We, the People’” Professor Winnifred Sullivan will speak about the intersection of law and religion in death penalty cases, in specific, and in the criminal justice and mass incarceration system, in general.
October 29, 11:30a-1:00p, Beloved Community, Embracing Community Potluck, a space dedicated to community building and fellowship together. Hosted in the Intercultural Suite. Sign up to bring food here to help us build a balanced lunch!
October 30, 7:00p, An Evening with Andrea Meyerson, Director and Storyteller, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Combs Center Warehouse. Andrea Meyerson’s “Letter to Anita” (2004) is a documentary about Ronni Sanlo’s journey. In 1977, Anita Bryant launched an anti-gay campaign, “Save Our Children,” and months later, Ronni’s own children were taken away after she disclosed that she was a lesbian. The film follows Ronni’s life from losing her children, to becoming a prominent LGBTQ+ activist, and the effects this campaign had on her relationships with her children. We’ve invited Andrea to give an introduction of her film and host a talk back after the film about her own experiences, directing this particular film as well as others, and her approach to storytelling. The run-time of “Letter to Anita” is 54 minutes.
October 31, 11:30a, The Struggle for Justice in Honduras, Diversity & Inclusion Convocation, Vahlkamp Theater. See the description above in the Religious Life section.
This calendar is meant to capture events on campus addressing issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity. It is not an exhaustive list. If you have events in upcoming months that you would like to see featured, please email them to Jo Teut at jo.teut@centre.edu prior to the 25th of each month.
Save the Date:
November 19, 7:30p, Young 113. Voices of the Holocaust. Dr. Jelen will consider how we might listen to the voices of the past, considering the ways in which knowledge of the Holocaust and Jewish identities have been constituted through various artifacts—literature, visual art, personal memories, and photographs.