Spring Semester, 2023, Issue #2

Posted May 1, 2023 by Office of Intercultural Engagement
Tags: Engage Newsletter

Spring Semester, 2023, Issue #2


Shawn Okpebholo
Congratulations to Dr. Shawn Okpebholo

Wheaton College announces the appointment of Dr. Shawn Okpebholo to the Blanchard Chair of Music (Composition, Music Theory)


A Word from Our President

Wheaton College President Philip RykenOne of my goals every summer is to see more beauty. As an amateur ornithologist, I will catch some of that splendor in glimpses of bright feathers. There is an amazing variety of birdlife all around us—on lakes and ponds, in urban greenspaces, and even on Wheaton’s campus. But the Bible testifies that we see the world’s greatest beauty in the people around us—in every man, woman, and child who is made in the image and likeness of God. Praise God: wherever we go this summer, we will have a chance to see that beauty in all its splendid variety.

Philip Ryken Signature

President Philip Ryken


ENGAGE posed a few questions about the forthcoming Wheaton College Historical Review to Provost Dr. Karen Lee

Dr. Karen A. Lee

1.) What is the purpose of the historical review? It is vital for Christian institutions of higher learning to exercise responsible scholarship by telling the truth about their own histories. In a Wheaton context, a review on our race relations strengthens our capacity "to build the church and benefit society" in alignment with our mission as a Christian liberal arts college.

2.) Why is it important for academic institutions to do historical reviews? It is a key step towards collective, evaluative reflection and critical self-examination towards a spirit of repentance that leads to Christ's restorative justice.

3.) How can the historical review advance Christ and His Kingdom here at Wheaton College? As stated in "The Charge" from the Board of Trustees, the historical review was launched "from the vantage point of the gospel of Jesus Christ, interpreted in the context of the times and focusing on institutional policies, practices, and programs, as well as the people responsible for them, understood through reviewing published and archival sources." More specifically, the historical review will help us determine, in the context of Jesus Christ, "what aspects of this history need to be celebrated more intentionally, lamented more deeply, or repented...."


Senior Administrative Cabinet & Student Leaders Dinner & Dialogue

by Naomi Bunker

Naomi BunkerI had the opportunity to participate in the Senior Administrative Cabinet dialogue alongside a group of student leaders representing the Office of Multicultural Development, International Student Programs, and Student Government.

Senior Administrative Cabinet Dinner and Discussion with Student LeadersWe collectively prepared questions that we later presented to Senior Administrative Cabinet members in the dialogue. Additionally, we shared meals in small groups with a Senior Administrative Cabinet member which encouraged new relationships, built trust, and placed a better foundation for administrative and student leadership going forward.


Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept 15 - Oct 15

Hispanic Pastors gathered for a reception hosted by Silvio Vazquez, Director of Enrollment and Professor Danny Carrol with special guest Theologian, Dr. Justo González. 

Hispanic Pastors Event


Intercultural Engagement Office Will Host Alumni Consultation on Issues of Biblical Diversity

The Office of Intercultural Engagement plans to host a consultation with several African American alumni to pose the question, Biblical Diversity at Wheaton College, Where Do We Go From Here? This consultation will serve as a model for future consultations with Latino(a), Asian/Asian American, Native American, and International alumni. The goal is to strengthen ties and invite more input from Alumni of underrepresented ethnicities. Although Wheaton recognizes struggles of the past, the College is poised to significantly move forward to embrace a brighter future that is more inclusive and affirming of people of all races, ethnicities, abilities and of women.


Dr. Ruth Bentley ’55, M.A. ’58 Honored as Alumna of the Year

In honor of her service on the Board of Trustees, with faithful efforts to establish a hospitable place for minority students on campus, Dr. Ruth Lewis Bentley ’55, M.A. ’58 is the 2022 Alumna of the Year for Distinguished Service to Alma Mater. Read more about her life and work in Wheaton Magazine >

Ruth Bentley Honored as Alumna of the Year



Spotlight On Wheaton College Staff . . .

. . . who are involved in work and/or ministry that involves Intercultural Engagement. And Wheaton College Faculty involved in research & teaching that advance our knowledge and understanding of Intercultural Engagement.

We salute these outstanding men and women of the Wheaton College Community whose lives and work exemplify Kingdom Diversity!


 


Spotlight On Wheaton College Faculty . . .

. . . doing multicultural research. Recently, we caught up with three distinguished members of the Wheaton College Faculty who are all doing important research that intersects with diversity and multicultural topics. We applaud their commitment to Christ and efforts to expand the vision of Christ’s Kingdom as inclusive of all people and ethnicities. We posed the following questions to each of the Professors: 

What classes are you teaching these days?
What are your major research interests? Latest publications, lectures, podcasts etc.…
What do you think are the most important current news items...
National news? Regional news? Local news?
W
hat is your word to Wheaton College in the effort to become a more diverse and welcoming community?


Honoring Dr Shawn Okpebholo

cropNominated for a Grammy® for his album, "Lord, How Come Me Here" Learn more >

And

Appointed to the Blanchard Chair of Music, an endowed position.

Dr. Shawn Okpebholo is “one of the most gifted musical leaders of our time. His work is described as “lyrical, complex and singular” (The Guardian). On March 9, 2023, the College announced “the appointment of Dr. Shawn Okpebholo to the Blanchard Chair of Music. Dr. Quainoo joins with many colleagues across the campus to congratulate Dr. Okpebholo. She states, For Dr. Okpebholo, it has been an amazing journey and with such a promising future, we can expect even greater accomplishments. ENGAGE salutes Dr. Okpebholo and the extraordinary work that he is doing.

Sponsored by the Provost’s Office, The Blanchard Chair is an endowed position that will provide the appointee with greater capacity to do individual research and scholarly creative work. “In addition to his teaching at Wheaton College, Dr. Okpebholo is a critically acclaimed and award-winning composer whose music has been featured in nearly every state and across the world…” 

Christ-Centered Diversity Commitment

Wheaton College is a Christian liberal arts institution committed to treating all individuals as equal image-bearers of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we seek to reflect, value, and promote a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language. We affirm ethnic diversity as part of God’s original and eternal design for humanity and see its importance for knowing and worshipping God and serving his purposes in the world today. Consistent with the Scriptures, as well as Wheaton’s Community Covenant, Statement of Faith, and other policies, we believe that making a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and unity is central to fulfilling the Great Commission, the Greatest Commandments, and our College Mission. We strive to cultivate a grace-filled, Christ-Centered academic community where all members are recognized, loved, and respected [Matthew 22:37-40 and 28:19-20; Revelation 7:9-10].

We acknowledge that our priorities have not always demonstrated our individual and collective dedication to affirm diversity, practice inclusion, seek justice, and pursue unity. Wheaton College was founded in part on its abolitionist vision. However, our institutional opposition to discrimination against people of color and women has not been consistently sustained in policy and practice.

Because of Christ’s reconciling death on the cross, we repent of racism, sexism, and other divisive sins and rededicate our energy and resources to creating an environment where all people know we are Christ-followers by the way we love one another [Mark 3:24-26; John 13-34-35; Ephesians 2:12-16; 1 John 1:7-8]….

Read the full commitment >

Future Wheaties?

Future Wheaties

 

ENGAGE is the official publication of the Office of Intercultural Engagement at Wheaton College. While the views expressed may represent a variety of opinions, this publication upholds the Covenant Commitment of Wheaton College. Intercultural Engagement is the praxis of Biblical Diversity with respect for all racial/ethnic groups. Copyright pending @ Wheaton College, 2022. All Rights Reserved.