Central Hosts Renowned Speakers and Conferences

“Reason and Faith on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation,” Oct. 13-14

Professor of religion Terence Kleven and assistant professor of philosophy Mark Thomas were awarded a grant to host this regional conference of the Lilly Fellows Program. The conference was interdisciplinary and featured outstanding speakers in English literature, history, education, philosophy and religion— including Dr. Jacob and Gela Schnucker Sessler Chair in Philosophy and Religion David Timmer.

This year, Oct. 31 marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 theses on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg—ideas which launched the Protestant Reformation and changed Western civilization forever. This conference gathered scholars and educators from a variety of Christian traditions to discuss the relation of reason and faith as it is understood in both the academy and church in the wake of the Reformation.

The Lilly Fellows Program in the Humanities and the Arts seeks to strengthen the quality and shape the character of church-related institutions of higher learning, and Central is part of the program’s national network of churchrelated colleges and universities.

“Challenging the Culture of Cruelty: Understanding and Defeating Race and Class Inequity in America,” Oct. 18

Anti-racist author Tim Wise spoke to students, staff and community members in an event sponsored by student development, academic affairs, sustainability education and community-based learning. Wise, who lectures around the world, also spoke at the college’s White Privilege Conference 15 years ago.

“Out on the Wire: Storytelling in Radio, Cartoon and Narrative,” with Jessica Abel, Oct. 19

Graphic novelist Jessica Abel spoke about creativity and storytelling in events funded by Central’s recent grant from Humanities Iowa, a state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.