Seabury-Western Theological Seminary : 2000 Seminar
Newsbrief
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Newland Smith reports that Seabury has been continuing to engage students on issues of racism and diversity in the context of the new required two-quarter course, “The Gospel Mission.” The seminary learned about the importance of preparing faculty for discussing issues of racism and diversity after a divisive faculty conference in May. They recently invited alumni of color to come and share their experiences of their education at Seabury with the community. This time the faculty had prepared for the conversation by spending time with a trainer. The time spent with the six alumni was facilitated both by the trainer and the chaplain, and was hard work, but valuable discourse. The alumni raised questions such as: Is it safe to be formed by a culture that doesn’t value me? In the coming year, Seabury will invite 30-40 members of the seminary community, including students, faculty, staff, senior administration and trustees, to take a 2 ˝ day anti-racism training. The seminary’s ultimate goal is to create an anti-racist institution that moves beyond mere multi-culturalism or diverse syllabi, to a genuine hospitality that honors and engages students of color.
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Newland Smith reports that Seabury has been continuing to engage students on issues of racism and diversity in the context of the new required two-quarter course, “The Gospel Mission.” The seminary learned about the importance of preparing faculty for discussing issues of racism and diversity after a divisive faculty conference in May. They recently invited alumni of color to come and share their experiences of their education at Seabury with the community. This time the faculty had prepared for the conversation by spending time with a trainer. The time spent with the six alumni was facilitated both by the trainer and the chaplain, and was hard work, but valuable discourse. The alumni raised questions such as: Is it safe to be formed by a culture that doesn’t value me? In the coming year, Seabury will invite 30-40 members of the seminary community, including students, faculty, staff, senior administration and trustees, to take a 2 ˝ day anti-racism training. The seminary’s ultimate goal is to create an anti-racist institution that moves beyond mere multi-culturalism or diverse syllabi, to a genuine hospitality that honors and engages students of color.