11th WANG CENTER SYMPOSIUM
The Matter of Loneliness: Building Connections for Collective Well-being
March 7-8, 2024
Schedule
9:45 - 9:55 a.m. | Welcome & Introduction: Asking the Questions
9:55 - 11:40 a.m. | Faculty/Community Interdisciplinary Panel on Loneliness
Speakers:
Michael Artime, Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science
Lizz Barton, Associate Director for Training, Licensed Psychologist
Eric Jacobsen, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church (ECO), Tacoma, WA
Julie Smith, Professor of Biology
Amy Young, Professor of Communication
Introduction and Moderator: Rev. Jen Rude, University Pastor
Location: Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
11:50 - 1:35 p.m. | PLU Alumni Panel: Loneliness from the Field of Mental Health
Speakers:
Yesenia Arellano ’13
Salomé Valencia Bohné ’10
Jen Fadden ’12
Ashely Hill ’15
Introduction and Moderator: James Innocent, Assistant Director for Outreach, Counselor, PLU Well-Being Services and Resources
Location: Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
1:45 - 3:30 p.m. | Reclaiming Curiosity: A Fireside Chat
How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times
Speaker:
Mónica Guzmán, Bridge-Builder, Journalist, Author
in conversation with Jenny James, Associate Professor of English, Chair of Gender, Sexuality, and Race Studies, Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies, PLU
Introduction: Justin Eckstein, Associate Professor of Communication, PLU
Location: Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
THE 2024 PAUL INGRAM LECTURE IN RELIGION
3:40 – 5:10 p.m. | Wild Kinship: Disability Wisdom, Interdependence, and the Elemental World
Speaker:
Julia Watts Belser, Professor of Jewish Studies and Disability Studies Core Faculty, Georgetown University
Introduction: Kevin O’Brien, Professor of Christian and Environmental Ethics, PLU
Location: Regency Room, Anderson University Center
5:30 - 6:45 p.m. | Dinner Break
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. | How to Do Nothing
Speaker:
Jenny Odell, Writer and Artist
Introduction: Rona Kaufman, Professor of English, PLU
Location: Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
8:45 - 10:30 a.m. | Blue Zones Purpose Planning Workshop
The Blue Zones Project Purpose Workshop is a two-hour event led by a certified facilitator that helps individuals find clarity of purpose. It is designed to assist in the discovery or rediscovery of an individual’s gifts, values, and passions. This workshop aims to help participants understand their purpose in life and align their actions with their values, which has been shown to lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Facilitators:
Joseph Gomez, Engagement and Marketing Lead, Blue Zones Parkland-Spanaway
Tammy Jones, Project Manager & Office Coordinator, Blue Zones Parkland-Spanaway
Location: Chris Knutzen East, Anderson University Center
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Break
Optional: Join Campus Ministry for Prayers for the World, outside on steps of Karen Hille Phillips Center for Performing Arts
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. | PLU Alumni Panel Community Organizing
Speakers:
Eric Buley ’10
Katie Garrow ’11
Saiyare Refaei ’14
Introduction and Moderator: Joel Zylstra, Public Information Officer, Franklin Pierce Schools
Location: Scandinavian Cultural Center, Anderson University Center
12:15 - 1:45 p.m. | PLU Community Connections: Combating Loneliness through Connection
Mini Involvement Fair:
Campus Life
Center for Diversity, Justice, and Sustainability
PLU Intramurals
The Hidden Opponent: Student Athletics-Led Mental Health Group
Campus Ministry
ASPLU
FitWell
Wellbeing Services and Resources
Tacoma Tree Foundation
Blue Zones
Wild Hope
MultiCare Celebrate Seniority
Location: Anderson University Center Hallway
12:30 - 1:35 p.m. | Our Story: Blackness, Belonging & Dreaming the Family Tree
Speaker:
Carolyn Finney PhD, Storyteller, Author, Cultural Geographer
Introduction: Jennifer Smith, Dean of Inclusive Excellence
Location: Regency Room, Anderson University Center
1:45 - 3:30 p.m. | Braver Angels & ASPLU Community Debate | GRIT topic
Is Everyone Entitled to a Universal Basic Income?
Facilitators:
Jennifer Keohane, Associate Professor in the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, University of Baltimore
Doug Sprie, Director of College Partnerships and Multimedia, American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA)
Sadie Webb, Program Manager, College Debates and Discourse Alliance
with ASPLU members
Introduction: Justin Eckstein, Associate Professor of Communication, PLU
Location: Chris Knutzen Hall, Anderson University Center
3:40 - 5:25 p.m. | Pending Title: Well-Being and Community Engagement*
*(This session will include a guided mediation practice along with the lecture.)
Speaker:
Bonnie Duran, Professor Emeritus, Schools of Social Work and Public Health, University of Washington
Introduction: Anissa Rogers, Ph.D, MA, MSW, LCSW Professor and Director, MSW Program, PLU
Location: Regency Room, Anderson University Center
5:30 - 6:45 p.m. | Dinner Break
2024 HARSTAD MEMORIAL LECTURE
7:00 p.m. | The Science of Happiness
Speaker:
Meik Wiking, Founder and CEO, The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen
Introduction: Judy Scott ’78, ’97 BS, MSN, Nursing, Scandinavian Cultural Center Council President