Students take the lead

Hundreds of campus events are planned each year by academic life professionals to expand students’ and community members’ horizons. For instance, guest speakers present at Forum, authors give readings in the Library and Bluffton’s own share research during Friday Colloquium.

On occasion students take the lead to organize and present. Three such events are happening this month - Global Weekend, the Inter-Collegiate Peace Fellowship and Spiritual Life Week.

Global Weekend
We don’t need to travel to experience a different world view. This weekend the International Connection (Bluffton University ICON) will host their annual Global Weekend festivities.

Global Weekend events are open to all, from on and off campus, children and adults alike. Items from international students’ home countries will be displayed during an Saturday evening ethnic meal at The Commons in Marbeck Center. Children will have the opportunity to break a piñata followed by an international variety show.

Inter-Collegiate Peace Fellowship
Mennonite colleges/universities take turns hosting the annual Inter-Collegiate Peace Fellowship. “Rooting for Peace: Go Peace, Grow Peace” will be the theme of the 2011 ICPF on Bluffton’s campus.

Leah Roeschley and her committee began last fall to organize this weekend conference focusing on ethical food production with keynote speaker Ragan Sutterfield, a writer, teacher and gardener.

While students from the sister Mennonite colleges are the primary audience, faculty/staff and community members are welcome to attend either for the full weekend or Saturday only. Registration deadline is Feb. 7.

Spiritual Life Week
Each semester students, along with the campus ministries staff, plan a week-long intentional focus on spiritual life for Bluffton students. Representatives of Renovaré Ministries will be guest speakers at the Spring Spiritual Life Week beginning Tuesday.

What a great opportunity for these students to gain experience organizing and promoting an issue they feel strongly about. If you get a chance and are interested, feel free to support them with your prayers and your presence.