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

Location: Regency Room, Anderson University Center