Keynote speaker Wendy M. Wright Click on image to download print-quality version

GRANTHAM, Pa. (Jan. 31, 2006) – Themed “The Power of Human Imagination,” the annual Spring Humanities Symposium at Messiah College will occur Feb. 19-27 and feature a series of public lectures and events, including a keynote address by theologian and author Wendy M. Wright on Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. Admission to all symposium events is free, and the complete schedule is available at www.messiah.edu/schools/humanities/center/symposium. 

Sponsored by the Messiah College Center for Public Humanities, the symposium explores the profound force of human imagination, which gives birth to creative works of aesthetic inspiration and beauty, enables innovative works of the intellect, opens the way to visionary and prophetic works of extravagant hope and even fuels the sinister works of human fear. 

About keynote address and speaker Wendy M. Wright

Noted author and theologian Wendy M. Wright will deliver the keynote address, “Faith and the ‘Poetic’ Imagination: Formation in the Gracious, Grace-filled Life,” on Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in Hostetter Chapel.  Wright will explore the formation of human imagination and the spiritual practice of cultivating a spacious and faith-filled imagination, while discussing the art of living humanely, graciously and well.  A book signing will follow the lecture.

Wright is currently a professor of theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where she holds the John C. Kenefick Faculty Chair in the Humanities. She teaches regularly in several graduate ministerial programs including Creighton University’s Christian spirituality master’s program and the National Methodist Academy for Spiritual Formation. Her expertise is the history of spirituality, and her academic work has focused on the “Salesian spiritual tradition” founded by Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal. Listed among her books are “Heart Speaks to Heart: The Salesian Tradition,” “Sacred Dwelling: A Spirituality of Family Life” and “Seasons of a Family’s Life: Cultivating the Contemplative Spirit at Home.” She is also a frequent contributor to “Weavings” and “Family Ministry” journals.

Symposium lectures and event highlights

Feb. 19, 3-5 p.m., Miller Auditorium

“The Musical Imagination, Part I,” Tim Dixon, assistant professor of music, will showcase the Messiah College Symphony Orchestra to demonstrate the role of imagination in musical listening and interpretation. Performance will follow.

Feb. 20, 6:30-8 p.m., Center for Public Humanities Lecture Series, Boyer Hall, Room 131

“Imagining God as Otherwise: John Caputo’s Theo-Poetics of Divine Weakness,” presented by John Caputo, Thomas J. Watson professor of religion and humanities at Syracuse University, and B. Keith Putt, professor of philosophy at Samford University.

Feb. 21, 4-5:30 p.m., Faculty-Student Colloquia, Boyer Hall, room 130

“Imagining the Unimaginable: Genocide in Germany and Rwanda,” presented by students and faculty from the Messiah College history department.

Feb. 21, 7-8:30 p.m., Symposium Faculty Lecture Series, Boyer Hall, room 131

“The Impact of Imagination on Society: Engineers Turn Ideas into Reality,” presented by Carl Erikson, assistant professor of engineering and chair of the department of engineering at Messiah College.

“At Play in the Fields of the Lord: Nature, Imagination and Stewardship,” presented by David Foster, associate professor of biology and environmental science at Messiah College.

Feb. 23, 4-5:30 p.m., Boyer Hall, room 131

Talk-Back Session on Keynote Address by Wendy M. Wright, panel of faculty members and students respond to Wright’s keynote address given Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.

Feb. 23, 7-8:30 p.m., Symposium Faculty Lecture Series, Boyer Hall, room 131

“Reading, Ethics and Imagination,” presented by Peter Powers, associate professor of English, chair of the English department and director of writing at Messiah College.

“Most Rare Vision: Shakespeare and the Risks of Imagination,” presented by Samuel Smith, professor of English at Messiah College.

Feb. 24, 4-5:30 p.m., Center for Public Humanities Lecture Series, Boyer Hall, room 131

“Tolkien, Lewis and the Power of Imagination,” presented by Gregory Bassham, chair of the department of philosophy at King’s College.

Feb. 24, 7-8:30 p.m., Symposium Faculty Lecture Series, Poorman Recital Hall

“The Musical Imagination, Part II,” Richard Roberson, dean of the school of the arts and professor of music at Messiah College, will present a lecture and piano recital.

Feb. 27, 7-8:30 p.m., Symposium Faculty Lecture Series, Boyer Hall, room 131

“Divine Imagination in the Old Testament Carried into Action,” presented by Gordon Brubacher, associate professor of Old Testament and archeology at Messiah College.

About Messiah College’s Center for Public Humanities

The mission of the Center for Public Humanities is to bring academic, civic and cultural communities together in a collaborative advancement of culture and learning, and to contribute to the college’s intellectual and cultural climate by stimulating debate and exchange on contemporary issues of significance, both on and off campus. The center sponsors innovative forms of public humanities outreach through a variety of programs with local schools, libraries, museums, regional societies, state councils, and colleges and universities.

About Messiah College

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls more than 2,900 undergraduate students in 50 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.

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