Wittenberg University’s 165th academic year offers a rich array of campus lectures, performances, exhibitions, worship and service opportunities, athletic contests and special events. Please plan time in your busy schedules for these campus events. We grow individually and build a stronger community when we share our commitment and enthusiasm for learning, creative expression and service to others in all of their varied forms and contexts.
This academic year marks the 28th season of the Wittenberg Series, the University’s annual offering of distinguished lectures, performances and worship services. Details about this year's events can be found through a link on the Provost’s webpage.
The first event of the 2009-10 Series, the Opening Convocation, will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9th in Weaver Chapel. Author and urban/suburban policy consultant David Rusk is the featured speaker. Mr. Rusk is a former federal official, New Mexico legislator and mayor of Albuquerque whose book, Inside Game/Outside Game, is considered a must-read for all practicing local government officials. The Center for Civic and Urban Engagement is sponsoring several activities on campus and in the community around Mr. Rusk’s visit.
The convocation will require a minor adjustment in the daily class schedule, with hour-long classes shortened to 45 minutes, as follows:
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. class will be held from................ 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
9:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. class will be held from................ 8:55 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. class will be held from................ 9:50 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 12 Noon...................................................... Opening Convocation
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. class will be held from................ 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m..
12:40 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. class will be held from................ 1:25 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
1:50 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. class will be held from................ 2:20 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. class will be held from................ 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The regular schedule resumes with the 5:00 p.m. class.
I am also pleased to announce that world acclaimed humanitarian Greg Mortenson, author of the national best seller Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations - One School at a Time and co-founder of the Central Asia Institute will deliver the Fred R. Leventhal Family lecture in October.
Wittenberg will once again observe Constitution Day on September 17, as we comply with a federal mandate from the U. S. Department of Education to officially recognize this important event in American history. The legislation provides no guidance on the nature of the “instructional program” intended. I encourage us all to seek creative ways to engage one another in this observance and in conversations about the influences of the Constitution on our lives.
You will notice several significant physical changes on campus. Construction fences surround Blair Hall as renovations are well underway. All Education Department offices and two specialized classrooms have been relocated to 49 East College Avenue until the Blair renovations are complete. The Upward Bound program space and offices are now permanently relocated to the lower level of Synod Hall. Blair Theatre is closed.
The extension of the existing campus wireless network to all residence halls and previously non-covered academic buildings will be completed by the end of fall semester, bringing the campus to full open access inside and outside. All classroom instructor station computers have been upgraded for increased speed. Renovations to Hollenbeck Hall have added a faculty office and enclosed a new location on the 3rd floor for the shared MFD (copier). The Science Library is closed and its holdings incorporated with those in Thomas Library. Discussions will occur fall semester on how to reassign the former science library space to best support the academic program. Conversations about the best location for the Math workshop will also continue in the fall.
Fall semester marks the implementation of the East Asian Institute under the leadership of Mr. Erick Kish, the Institute’s first Director. The Institute will help establish and maintain student internship and study abroad opportunities in East Asia, facilitate cultural outreach programs into local primary and high schools, sponsor campus lectures on Asian business topics, and support faculty development projects. Erick brings five years of experience in international higher education and international trade working mainly from Taipei, Taiwan and Honolulu, Hawaii. He will leverage his existing network of contacts in East Asian industry, government and academia to further the Institute’s mission. Erick has a Master’s degree in Economics and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. This initiative is funded by a 3-year federal grant.
Let me conclude with a welcome to students and new members of the Wittenberg community. I also share my appreciation to the faculty and staff who gave graciously of their time and talents this summer to advise first year students. Equally worthy of acknowledgement are the faculty who led study abroad, field studies programs or supervised student research, internships or independent studies. Many of you also contributed to the success of several campus visit days for prospective students and their families. People make the difference at Wittenberg. Thanks for your contributions.
- Ken Bladh
Provost