The theme will be addressed throughout the year through lectures and community dialogue. Past themes have included “What is a Life of Faith?” and “What is a Life of Significance.” Presenters have included Gustavo Gutierrez, Martin Marty, and Kathleen Norris.
All of this year’s lectures will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Anderson Chapel. Admission is free.
Johnson, a North Park alumnus who also is an Evangelical Covenant Church pastor, will focus on healthcare policy during his September 23 presentation. He provides medical analysis for “World News Tonight,” “Nightline” and “20/20.” His programs and feature reports have won many awards, including a National Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Five other presentations are scheduled:
• “Whose Life Is It, Anyway: Reflections of a Scientist” by Arlie O. Petters on October 2. The Duke University professor of mathematics is an expert on gravitational lensing. He also is the first African-American to be tenured in the sciences at Duke.
• “But We Will Learn to Love Again: Mwai Kibaki and the December 2007 Elections in Kenya” by Theodora Ayot, professor of history at North Park University, on November 12. A native of East Africa, she has written extensively on issues in Africa’s history and society, including women’s issues, the AIDS crisis and political and social reconciliation.
• “Suffering on Both Sides of the Sheet” by Dr. Martha L. Twaddle, chief medical officer of Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter,” on February 12. In 2005 she was the first recipient of the Josefina B. Magno Distinguished Hospice Physician Award, which is presented by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She also received the Stephen A. Weisman Humanitarian Award for Cancer Care in 2001 from the Cancer Wellness Center.
• “How to Simplify Your Life” by Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College, on March 26. He is a regular contributor to several Christian publications and is the author of more than 45 books including, Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Christianity for Modern Pagan, and Fundamentals of the Faith.
• Panel Discussion on April 22 that will focus on the ideas the program has generated and reflect on the year’s activities.
The theme of the year is integrated into classroom learning across the disciplines. Students will attend the lectures, read works by the speakers and other on the topic.
