On Feb. 13, students across campus attended a variety of sessions as part of the 2024 Day of Common Learning. Formerly known as Day of Courageous Conversations, Isaiah 1:17 Day is an opportunity for students to attend panels and presentations that address societal and cultural issues in an open discussion format.
REACHING OUT – Dr. Keller ended her discussion with resources and ways to reach out for athletes and students who struggle with their mental health. Keller mentioned the free therapy service IWU offers, Timely Care, that is always mobile and available. (Photo by Mya McNew)KEY DETAILS – Ellie Houtz took notes at the beginning of Dr. Jones and Dr. McCracken’s session to ensure she got all the details and important information. (Photo by Mya McNew)SPEAKING OUT – Merideth DeVries explained to Lydia Frecker and Maycie Porter her opinion on Vanderbilt lacrosse player, Cailin and her story. DeVries realized she related to Cailin’s story more than she thought. (Photo by Mya McNew)POWERED THROUGH MCCONN – Dr. Jones began her lecture by highlighting IWU’s coffee shop, McConn, and how she never goes without it. Jones has her special coffee order pictured with her. (Photo by Mya McNew)COMING TOGETHER – Students, athletes, and faculty met at 10:30 am to hear Dr. Keller begin her session on mental health in college. The session had such a great turnout that there was attendees sitting on the floor. (Photo by Mya McNew)SMALL DETAILS – Dr. McCracken began the session with the bible verse, Romans 12:2, which reminded listeners to begin with a faith-based mindset. Throughout the session, Jones and McCracken made connections with other bible verses like James 1:19-20. (Photo by Mya McNew)OPINIONS MATTER – Indiana Wesleyan University track athletes sat in on Dr. Kellers “Mental Health in College Sports” session and debriefed about questions asked from Dr. Keller. They were comparing how they felt as an athlete in high school to an athlete in college and the big differences. (Photo by Mya McNew)MORNING DECISIONS – Chloe Boose and Abby Blake plan out their schedule to determine what sessions they will attend throughout the day. Boose and Blake said they were excited to see what the sessions had in store (Photo by Mya McNew)HAVING A VOICE – Dr. McCracken read the book “Sulwe” and gave examples of race within books and how they affect elementary students. McCracken gave the book life by using his voice and reading like the attendees were elementary school students. (Photo by Mya McNew)UNDERQUALIFIED – Zach Aument lectures on his discovery that employers are struggling to find qualified workers. Aument said this is partially due to less students getting degrees. (Photo by Lucas Vargo)STUDENT BEFORE ATHLETE – Section leader Nathan Reep shows a Ted Talk of Cailin Bracken talking about her battle with mental health. Bracken talked about how she had to battle mental health issues to rediscover her love of lacrosse. (Photo by Lucas Vargo)MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS – students and faculty gather in the Recreation and Wellness Center to discuss mental health among college students. Nathan Reep led the discussion and said mental health resources are available in different fashions on campus.GOOD WINGS< GOOD TIMES – Mike Miller, a member Of Intercultural and Global offices shared spicy wings with Drew morrell and Steve Wood. Miller Discussed things like interracial relationships and how to go about them. (Photos by Lucas Vargo)WINGS AND DISCUSSION – Students enjoyed a variety of spicy wings while attending “hot tongues and spicy topics,” Tuesday afternoon. Steve Wood hosted Drew Morrel and Mike Miller to discuss topics on race and biblical applications to one’s life. (Photo by Lucas Vargo)STUDENTS FOR LIFE – Students for life members Gabe Hooper and Beth Snyder discussed why they are pro life. Hooper and Snyder said an alternative to abortion is adoption. (Photo by Lucas Vargo)TAKING CHARGE – Mario Rangel, host for the 2024 Latino Student Association Panel Discussion, took charge and asked the panel members the first question. Rangel facilitated the conversation throughout LSA’s event. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan) SIGNIFICANT STORIES – Mario Rangel, host for the 2024 Latino Student Association Panel Discussion, shared a personal story with the panel members. Rangel said he remembers making piñatas for his son’s birthday, and wishes similar pieces of culture were mainstream at Indiana Wesleyan University. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan) POSITIVE OUTLOOK – Zina Teague, a panel member of the Latino Student Association Panel Discussion, discussed the topic of privilege. Teague, Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Indiana Wesleyan University, said she recognizes her own blessings and privileges while understanding that everyone goes through different experiences in life. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)ADMIRABLE ADVICE – Marlem Romo, a panel member of the 2024 Latino Student Association Panel Discussion, shared advice with the audience. Romo, a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, said it is important to explore and embrace your culture as well as others. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)BREAKING IT DOWN – One session from the Isaiah 1:17 Day, Mental Health in College Athletes, raised awareness for poor mental health in both students and athletes alike. Students broke into small groups and discussed personal struggles throughout the session. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)
RAISING AWARENESS – Nathan Reep, one of the hosts for the Mental Health in College Athletes session, guided the audience through a group discussion. Reep, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, said it is important to speak up and begin taking steps toward getting better. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)PATIENTLY WAITING – Students at Indiana Wesleyan University waited for the next session of Isaiah 1:17 day to begin. Emma Pettitt, a senior at IWU, presented the topic of replacing social media with prayer. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)SHARING RESEARCH – Emma Pettitt, the host of Listening to the Lord, shared the results of a survey conducted on Indiana Wesleyan University students detailing prayer and social media usage. Pettitt, a senior at IWU, said the survey results showed students wanted to get better at turning to prayer and limiting social media use. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)TYING IT TOGETHER – Erin Devers, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, closed the session of Listening to the Lord with prayer. Emma Pettitt, host of the session and a student at IWU, said she welcomes anyone to join her in deleting social media and focusing on prayer. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)SETTING GOALS – Lilly Zander, an audience member of Listening to the Lord, looked at a handout from the session with a friend. Zander, a junior at Indiana Wesleyan University, said she looks forward to focusing on her prayer life. (Photo by Faith Vander Laan)WORKING AWAY – In the Commons, students gather to work and study. Many took advantage of the time given for Isaiah 1:17 Day to catch up and get ahead on work. (Photo by Andrew Scalf)
IMAGO DEI – Ministry faculty and students discuss secular issues from a ministry viewpoint. Here, they discussed the importance of remembering the fall and its repercussions. (Photos by Andrew Scalf)COFFEE BREAK – Students use their time to work outside McConn. All classes were canceled for students to attend discussions during Isaiah 1:17 Day. Students can get a coffee and study. (Photo by Andrew Scalf) HOT TOPICS – Pastor Drew Morrell speaks on hot topics over hot wings. Much of the session’s conversations revolved around race in different facets. Here, Morrell speaks on the disembodiment of the spirit from the physical body. (Photo by Andrew Scalf)FACULTY DISCUSSION – Faculty meet before a private discussion covering support for student minorities on campus. Faculty were provided with food to discuss through lunch. (Photo by Andrew Scalf)HAWKINS’ CLOSING WORDS – After the Sankofa Bus Tour, Dr. Rusty Hawkins gives closing remarks in a classroom in Goodman Hall. The tour ended with some reflection on the effects Grant County’s racialized history has had on Indiana Wesleyan. (Photo by Jerah Winn)SANKOFA TOUR IN MARION – Participants in the Racial Injustice Sankofa Tour through Grant County walk toward the Marion courthouse. The group of IWU students, alumni, and staff on the tour Tuesday morning walked from Marion’s former jail to the courthouse where a lynching occurred in 1930. (Photo by Jerry Winn)OUTSIDE MARION COURTHOUSE – Dr. Rusty Hawkins tells a group of IWU students and staff about the 1930 lynching of two young Black men in Marion — Abram Smith and Thomas Shipp. The Sankofa Bus Tour made a stop at the site where the lynching occurred. (Photo by Jerah Winn)KIND LIFE– Gabe Hopper, Vice-president of IWU student for life, discusses pressing issues that face abortion. Hopper wants to advocate for the unborn through kindness and understanding. (Photo by Seth Bos)IDEOLOGICAL LEARNERS – Students, participate in an interactive discussion with the panel of experts. The students get to share comments or concerns to get answered. (Photos by Seth Bos)CASUAL CONVERSATIONS – The panel of IWU theological faculty discuss the need for men in ministry to stand up to provide a way for women to join alongside them. (Photo by Seth Bos)
TIPPING THE SCALES—Professor of Mathematics, Mel Royer talked to students about how individual biases can lead to misinterpretation data. As part of his presentation, Royer showed many statistics from real-world social issues. “I would like to encourage more appreciation for the complexity of social problems,” said Royer. (Photo by Emily Bontrager)
FACULTY LUNCH—members of the IWU Faculty shared a meal together before a special faculty only session during IWU’s Isaiah 1:17 Day. The session focused on supporting minority students. All faculty members were encouraged to participate. (Photo by Emily Bontrager)
WINGS AND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS—Freshmen Lindsay-Kate Shomaker and John Clark ate wings from Marios and worked on homework during their day off class. Shomaker said she used the time off grocery shopping in the morning. Clark said he plans to work on an assignment for his programming class before he goes to work in the afternoon. (Photo by Emily Bontrager)
CREATING COMMUNITY—Marion residents and IWU faculty members participated in Isaiah 1:17 Day alongside students. Formerly known as the Day of Courageous Conversations, the event focuses on sharing stories from individuals who are not always heard from. Both community members and students are encouraged to participate. (Photo by Emily Bontrager)
MORNING MATHEMATICS – IWU Students and community members heard from Mathematics Professor Mel Royer during a morning session of Tuesday’s Isaiah 1:17 Day. Royer lectured on dishonest scales, accurate scoring and how data can be manipulated for one’s personal gain. This lecture was a division-focused session for Mathematics and Engineering. (Photo by Emily Bontrager)
FINAL TOUCHES – Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy adds the final touches to her presentation about food insecurity in semi-rural communities like Grant County for Isaiah 1:17 Day. (Photo by Colin Wood)DEFING THE PROBLEM – Dr. Jennifer Noseworthy introduces herself and her topic to her audience of students and faculty. (Photo by Colin Wood)IMPACTFUL INSIGHT – Dr. Jennifer Nose worthy speaks about how food security impacts communities of color more than other communities. (Photo by Colin Wood)NOTEWORTHY – Students and faculty alike take notes on Dr. Noseworthy’s presentation for Isahiah 1:17 day. (Photo by Colin Wood)CAPTIVATING CONVERSATIONS – Dr. Steve Wood draws a big crowd for his “Hot Tongues and Spicy Wings” discussion. Students were engaged and asked questions throughout. (Photo by Colin Wood)CATCHUP DAY – While some students used Isaiah 1:17 to attend discussions, others used the day to catch up on work like the students at McConn pictured. (Photo by Colin Wood)LUNCH TIME – Just because classes are closed doesn’t mean wildcat is. Thomas Harding and Nick Windsor grab lunch at Chick-Fil-A on their day of for Isiaha 1:17 Day. (Photo by Colin Wood)
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