November is flying by, and soon we will all be eating leftover turkey and finalizing holiday shopping lists.
A fun week started Monday as we kicked off International Education Week. There was salsa on Monday, a staff reception on Tuesday, a Bollywood dance-off on Wednesday, karaoke on Thursday and a capoeira workshop today. Each day students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to get henna tattoos and indulge in some fantastic food. Thank you to everyone who made the week’s events and culturally themed affairs go so well.
For the past 15 years, our Office of Volunteer Programs & Service Learning has provided mentorships to local middle school students through the Jones-Zimmermann Academic Mentorship Program. SHU students dedicate three years to mentoring two students each at John Winthrop School in Bridgeport. Recently, the Daily Voice wrote a story on the program and our students. Great work everyone.
With Thanksgiving a week away, we held our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday. I was thrilled to see so many boxes of non-perishable food items on the altar in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. It was a beautiful service that incorporated many religions and gave us time to reflect on all that we’re grateful for. Thank you to those who donated food and came to the service.
Our equestrian team is trending right now. The women on the team participated in the “mannequin challenge,” a viral Internet trend that has people freezing in certain positions while being filmed to music. Not only did our students stay frozen, but so did the horses. You have to see it to believe it.
Our theater arts program is putting on another amazing show. This time they are taking on the Shakespeare classic, The Tempest. Tickets are on sale now and the show runs throughout this weekend at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts.
SHU’s Panhellenic Council was one of 28 councils selected nationwide to receive a College Panhellenic Excellence Award from the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). On Tuesday, a representative from the NPC was on campus to present the women with their award. What a great honor for the students and everyone involved.
Professor Christel Manning’s book, Losing Our Religion, won this year’s Distinguished Book Award from the Society for Scientific Study of Religion. Hers was one of 29 nominations. Congrats on this achievement, Christel!
Professors Clotilde Dudley Smith and Lisa Smith presented their research on eating disorders on college campuses in Washington D.C. at the Teaching Professor Conference over the summer. It was great that they could share their expertise on this important topic.
Guest lecturers Gabrielle Earnshaw and Kevin Burns were on campus Thursday night for the Henri Nouwen Lecture Series. Entitled “Contemporary Spirituality,” the lecture focused on Nouwen’s personal letters chronicling his life. Nouwen was a priest, professor and writer. It was a great presentation.
We’re pleased to have actor Frank Whaley back on campus tonight. The School of Communications and Media Arts and the film and television master’s program are presenting “A Filmmaker’s Journey: An Evening with Frank Whaley.” Join the actor at 7:30 in the Martire Theater for a screening of his film Joe the King. A discussion and reception will follow.
Speaking of actors, parts of the Hallmark Channel movie Broadcasting Christmas were filmed in our studios here on campus. It features Melissa Joan Hart and Dean Cain and will premiere Wednesday, November 23 at 8 p.m. Be sure to tune in!
Looking for something to do this weekend? Our choir program, including 4 Heart Harmony, will join together for “Sing Out! A Concert against Bullying.” Please join the choirs on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
We’re excited to have our SHU Band and Dance Team perform in the UBS Parade Spectacular on Sunday at noon to kick off the holiday season. Both groups will perform among the many floats, balloons, dance troupes and musicians. Good luck, everyone, and have fun!
Let’s remember to cheer on our student-athletes this weekend. Our men’s ice hockey team plays Niagara at 7 at the Webster Bank Arena and again at 2 on Saturday. Women’s ice hockey battles Wesleyan tonight at 7 at the Sports Center in Shelton. On Saturday, our football team takes on Bryant at noon. Special congratulations to the women’s volleyball team on their regular-season championship. They will be hosting the conference championship in the Pitt Center all weekend. Good luck to all our Pioneers playing home and away.
Have a great weekend!