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Flory Lecture at McPherson College Welcomes Government Leader Working to Prevent Violence Around the Globe

Posted On: March 8, 2016
By: MC Admin

Andrew LoomisOne of the best ways to create a more peaceful world isn’t necessarily to stop active violence; it’s to prevent the conflict from developing in the first place.

Identifying areas at risk of falling into violence around the world and taking measures to prevent that conflict has been the career focus for Dr. Andrew Loomis, senior officer in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations.

He will present the annual Flory Public Policy Lecture at 7 p.m. March 10 at the McPherson Church of the Brethren on “Conflict Prevention: Policy and Practice in the U.S. Government.”

Dr. Loomis helps provide advice and support in local peace processes, develops strategy for the department to prevent violent conflicts, and works on policies that relate to conflict and unstable political environments. Previously, he worked as senior adviser to the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, where his primary work was to develop and lead a strategy to help the State Department recognize and act upon areas where the risk of mass atrocities are high.

“There can be a lot done with U.S. government resources and authority,” Loomis said.

His interest in making peace his life’s work goes back to his youth growing up in the Church of the Brethren, and parents who were involved in peace activism through the church at the local and national levels. At Juanita College he majored in peace studies. After, he started on a career of pursuing peace-related themes in non-governmental organizations – such as Search for Common Ground and The Brookings Institution – and in education as a professor and instructor at Georgetown University, College of William & Mary, and The George Washington University.

In his lecture, Dr. Loomis will talk about the steps his part of the State Department takes in deciding where to focus violence prevention efforts, diagnosing the roots of brewing conflict, and developing a strategy to reduces the risks of violence. That strategy has to adjust to the particular situation, he said.

“There’s no stock, cookie-cutter answers to problems,” he said. “That said, there are things we know that work.”

For example, he said that violence often results from the actions of a limited group of individuals.

“We’re moving away from a belief that violence is spontaneous and coming to a view that violence requires agency,” he said. “We can be more systematic in focusing on key actors rather than wringing our hands about the inevitability of violence.”

While lately Dr. Loomis has been working on policy solutions from Washington, soon he’ll be traveling to Burma for six months, helping the embassy address some of these core issues.

“You can spend a lot of time in Washington working on policy,” he said, “but there’s nothing quite like being in the field and understanding on the grassroots level what the problems are and what the solutions might be.”

The Raymond and Rowena Flory Lectureship in Public Policy was established at McPherson College by former Flory students Dean Coughenour and Howard Mehlinger in recognition of long-time McPherson residents Dr. Raymond Flory and Mrs. Rowena Frantz Flory. Raymond, who passed away in November 2002, was affiliated with McPherson College for 50 years as an administrator and professor of history and politics. Rowena passed away on Jan. 12 earlier this year. 

The lectureship is designed to stimulate dialogue on a public policy issue relevant to the McPherson College community, the city of McPherson, and the surrounding area. The event is free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. The lecture can also be watch online at livestream.com/McPherson-College

‘The Mousetrap’ at MC Features Set Similar To Traditional Design of Longest-Running Stage Show

Posted On: February 26, 2016
By: MC Admin

In a McPherson College theatre season that has placed classic and popular shows in unusual settings, one show stands out from the rest… because it’s so traditional.

Eric Johnson, a 1989 MC graduate and guest director for “The Mousetrap,” said the college production’s set closely mirrors the one that has been used in the West End of London for 63 years – making this Agatha Christie mystery the world’s longest-running play of any kind.

The McPherson College production will have a substantially shorter run – 7:30 pm., March 4 and 5 in Brown Auditorium.

This theatre season has Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” set in a pirate cove, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” placed on a giant art drafting table, the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare fable in “The Great Cross Country Race” receiving a steampunk treatment, and “Hotel Paradiso” moving from France to New Orleans.

Against that backdrop, well, the longest-running play using a classic set design actually proves a contrast. Johnson said the show selection was all part of trying to give those in performing arts at MC the most diverse experience possible.

“You want to expose your students to as much as you can,” he said. “Settings, genres, styles.”

Johnson said that audiences should come to “The Mousetrap” because there’s no place else to see the murder mystery other than within the walls of a theatre. Because of a quirk in how Christie licensed this play, officially licensed movies couldn’t be produced until the original live production closed. Because the first production hasn’t closed in 63 years, well…

“This one, if you want to see it, you’ve got to see it on the stage,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that Christie is the bestselling novelist in history, with more than a billion copies sold in English and another billion in 100 foreign languages. As a playwright, she’s only been outsold by William Shakespeare. For the printed word generally, only the Christian Bible has outpaced Christie and Shakespeare. Johnson said after reading Christie, it’s no mystery why that is.

“I think people enjoy trying to figure out the whodunit,” he said. “What she does so well is presenting a strong case for how each character could have done it. If it’s done well, the audience is actively involved getting to the bottom of it before the author lets us know.”

But don’t expect solving the mystery to be easy. Even Eric Johnson couldn’t do it on his first read.

“She had me all the way to the end,” he said.

“The Mousetrap” is showing at 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 5. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3.50 for children ages high school and younger as well as seniors. Reservations may be made by contacting the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].

Cast is: Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (Voice on Radio); Deiah Curtis, sophomore, Great Bend, Kan. (Mollie Ralston); James Covel, senior, Wichita, Kan. (Giles Ralston); Chris Rakowski, junior, Joppa, Md. (Christopher Wren); Ashley Burch, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. (Mrs. Boyle); Austin Crosby, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Major Metcalf); Aubrey Hollinger, sophomore, Lyons, Kan. (Miss Casewell); Josh Hall, senior, Tonganoxie, Kan. (Mr. Paravicini); and Logan Schrag, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (Detective Sergeant Trotter).

Crew is: Eric Johnson ’89, McPherson, Kan. (director); Crystal Osner, senior, Conway Springs, Kan. (stage manager); Whitney Jefferson, senior, Houston, Texas (assistant stage Manager); Dr. Rick Tyler ’74, professor of speech and theatre (technical director); Osner, Callie Atkins, junior, Stillwater, Okla.; Burch; Nora Grosbach, sophomore, Evergreen, Colo.; Hollinger (costumes); Crosby, Lucas Jez, freshman, Westfield, Mass.; Mason Polston, freshman, Emporia, Kan.; Phil Reinhardt, freshman, Tenants Harbor, Maine; Karl Timmerman, junior, Tulsa, Okla.; and Stagecraft class (set construction); Murray (props); Lora Kirmer, senior, Holly, Colo. (lights); Marissa Patton, senior, Tribune, Kan. (sound); and Abby Trenkle, senior, Haysville, Kan. (box office)

McPherson College Band Concert March 7 Features Legendary Trombone Player

Posted On: February 22, 2016
By: MC Admin

The McPherson College and Hillsboro High School Joint Band Concert on March 7 will feature as guest artist an MC alumnus who is one of the most prominent trombonists in the world.

Dr. Irvin Wagner – a 1959 graduate of McPherson College – will be the concert’s guest soloist on trombone. Kyle Hopkins, associate professor of music and director of bands at MC, said that having Dr. Wagner perform on the concert will provide an incredible musical experience for the students and a fabulous concert for the audience.

“Irv is famous worldwide for his trombone playing and conducting,” Hopkins said. “It’s a huge deal to get him here to play with us.”

The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium. Admission is free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Dr. Wagner is currently on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma as the David Ross Boyd and Regents Professor of Music, teaching trombone and serving as the coordinator of graduate music studies. At the university he leads the Oklahoma Trombone Choir, which has performed at the International Trombone Festival six times and has released two major albums. He’s also the former president of the International Trombone Association from 1982 to 1984 and was the director of bands at McPherson College in the 1960s.

In addition to his work at Oklahoma, Dr. Wagner has contributed in the community and around the world as a performer, conductor, and composer. In the 1980s, he was the most-heard trombonist in the world, reaching more than a quarter of the planet’s population thanks to public tours across more than 30 countries and a television special in China, which was watched my more than 600 million, and India, seen by 500 million people.

He plays in the Oklahoma Philharmonic Orchestra and has served frequently as its guest conductor. He has also been a guest conductor for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra, the Russian Imperial Orchestra in St. Petersburg, the Cannes Symphony Orchestra in France and the Orquesta Sinfonica in Argentina. His compositions and arrangements for trombone choirs and symphony orchestras have become staples in the United States and around the world.

The Federated Music Clubs of Oklahoma named Dr. Wagner the “Oklahoma Musician of the Year” in 1988, and the International Trombone Association presented him with its highest honor in the ITA Award, for his contributions to the trombone-playing world.

The March 7 concert will open with the McPherson College Jazz Band followed by the Hillsboro High School Band playing a few selections on their own. The McPherson College Concert Band will then perform with Dr. Wagner as guest soloist. The finale will include all the groups and Dr. Wagner, and will also feature a special trombone ensemble including McPherson College students, MC alumni, community members, Dr. Wagner, and Dr. Larry Kitzel, who is a 1965 MC alumnus and was professor of music and director of bands at MC for more than three decades starting in the 1970s.

Mohler Lecturer to Speak On Making Social Entrepreneurship Possible for All

Posted On: January 29, 2016
By: MC Admin

Read a story about social entrepreneurship – such as Kiva, Terracycle, Teach for America – and one might think, “Great, but I could never do that.”

In that case, the next Mohler Lecture speaker at McPherson College – Dr. Brett Smith – is coming with both good and bad news for you, “You’re mistaken.”

“Often we really do have the power to change the world,” Dr. Smith said, “but we don’t mobilize it, we don’t take advantage of it.”

Dr. Smith is professor of entrepreneurship at Miami University in Ohio and the founding director at the Center for Social Entrepreneurship, which focuses on experiential learning opportunities for Miami University students to develop innovate ways of solving social problems.

He will present “The Democratization of Social Entrepreneurship” for the 42nd annual Mohler Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 in Mingenback Theatre. In addition to his public lecture, Dr. Smith will also meet with McPherson College faculty to working in entrepreneurship as well as with classes that support the minor in transformative entrepreneurship at MC.

Dr. Smith said that social entrepreneurship is creating innovative solutions to social problems and is critical for filling in the social gaps where for-profit businesses and government organizations aren’t able to help. He hopes that those who attend his lecture will gain an awareness of social entrepreneurship and come to believe that they, too, can improve society. Ensuring that everyone has the tools they need for social entrepreneurship is what he means by “democratization.”

In his lecture, he will discuss some of the barriers that still remain to this democratization of social entrepreneurship. These include self-doubt of potential social entrepreneurs, the relatively new advent of the discipline in academics, how to measure the social value of a venture, and where to find growth-level funding for social entrepreneurship.

“Social entrepreneurship has exploded on the scene, but I think there are some big challenges that remain,” Dr. Smith said. “While there has been excitement and enthusiasm, there are significant challenges that remain.”

But he’s optimistic about the future of social entrepreneurship.

“I think it’s early. I think it’s encouraging,” he said, “and I think there’s a bright future ahead.”

For 42 years, the generosity of Dr. Robert and Mrs. Fern Shoemaker Mohler has brought prominent speakers and cultural programs to McPherson College – spanning academic disciplines and representing a wide range of human experience and thinking.

The first lecture in 1975 highlighted MC professor Dr. H.H. Nininger, famous for his work on meteorites and paleontology. In addition to providing information about Dr. Nininger’s lifetime of knowledge in meteorites, it also functioned as a 90th birthday party for both Dr. Nininger – the first speaker of the lecture series – and Dr. Moher – one of the lecture’s two benefactors.

The lecture is supported by permanent funds from the Mohler’s initial gifts as well as additional funding provided by their children and grandchildren.  Those monies are now held in the McPherson College endowment, meaning that the Mohler lecture will continue to bring great speakers to McPherson College for years to come.

McPherson College’s Friendship Hall Hosts First Juried Art Exhibition for MC Students

Posted On: January 27, 2016
By: MC Admin

The approval of the visual arts professors at McPherson College can mean a lot to college students at MC. The current exhibition of student work in Friendship Hall on campus, however, shows that the approval of an art expert who has never met them can mean even more.

Wayne Conyers, professor of art, said this is the first time in his memory that the annual student exhibition at MC has been juried by a professional, with awards and recognition.

“It’s one thing for us to say ‘This is good,’” he said. “But we may be biased. It means a lot for someone outside of the program to judge just on the work.”

About 100 pieces are in the current show, displaying a wide range of media. Conyers said there are multiple benefits to putting in the additional work required to put on a juried exhibition.

“Once they graduate, if they are going to be showing work, this is the venue,” he said. “It’s more real-world – preparing students for what the competitive art world is all about. It makes the students more critical of their own work, and that’s a very good thing.”

A final reception for the exhibitors will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall on Thursday, Jan. 28. The award winners for the exhibition are:

  • Best of Show, Studio: Chloë Cloud, freshman, Wichita, Kan.
  • Best of Show, Graphics: Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.

Honorable mentions:

  • Lisa Koehn (2), freshman, Galva, Kan.
  • Ste’fon Walker, senior, Mendenhall, Miss.
  • Danna Jacks, senior, Stafford, Kan.
  • Melicia Evans (3), senior, McPherson, Kan.
  • Monica Ewy (2), junior, Halstead, Kan.
  • Kaleena Nelson, freshman, Spring Hill, Kan.
  • Nathan Holthus, senior, McPherson, Kan.
  • Scott Bullis, senior, Colorado Springs, Colo.

At the same time that the student exhibit is up, the four visual arts professors at MC also have an exclusive exhibition up at the McPherson Arts Alliance, Inc. VAAM Gallery at 223 S. Main St. in McPherson.

Conyers; Dee Erway-Sherwood, associate professor and program director of graphic design; Ann Zerger, associate professor of art; and Michaela Groeblacher, assistant professor of art, are showing their work in an exhibition called “Four of a Kind.”

“All four of us are professional artists who have chosen to teach,” Conyers said. “We’re not teachers who happen to teach art. You’re not going to be an effective educator if you’re not madly in love with what you do. The worst thing you can do as an art educator is stop doing your work. It will come back to haunt you.”

McPherson College Artists Display Work for Senior Shows

Posted On: December 4, 2015
By: MC Admin

Senior students at McPherson College with majors in the visual arts will have one last opportunity to show their work before they cross the graduation stage.

Adam Porter, McPherson, Kan.; Dani Jacks, Stafford, Kan.; and Arelyn Fallis, Luray, Kan., current have their senior exhibitions on display in Friendship Hall on the campus of McPherson College. All graduating seniors in the department plan and present a senior exhibition as their capstone project at the college.

This show features more than 100 works of graphic design, photography, ceramics, painting and other mediums.

Porter chose McPherson College because of the opportunity to create an interdisciplinary major. He was able to customize the courses he took to match the career path he wants to take, combining visual arts courses and business courses. He plans to have a career in digital design after graduation. He has focused on uncluttered graphics focused on users.

“I find myself ‘un-designing’ my website, document or logo to reach a point where the visual is simple and easily understood or navigated by the user,” he said.

Porter’s exhibit consists of his photography, graphic design and product design.

Jacks has worked with a broad variety of mediums in pursuing her degree in studio art – everything from photography to ceramics to tea. Jacks said early in her college career, she was trying to make “perfect” works of art. Soon she realized that it was an impossible goal and that it was separating her from what interested her in art – reflecting humanity.

“I quit trying to achieve this mockery, this grasping after the wind,” Jacks said. “Instead, I began to search for what truly was human, and how to best express and embrace the simple beauty found in things that are imperfect.”

Many of her works use the imagery of reflections in puddles. She was intrigued by how water reflects back at the viewer, but also changes them. It’s what she’s trying to do in all her art, Jacks said.

“I am creating some reflection that is not quite what you would expect,” she said. “I am trying to re-orient you.”

Fallis said that as she presents her senior show of graphic design and ceramics, she can see how she’s grown and learned from both mistakes and successes. She said she’s more willing to take risks because of what she’s learned and to truly “play” as she works. She’s also discovered her own artistic “voice”

“This show is a closing of a chapter of my life that I will look back on fondly with now doubt in my mind that I could have done it any better,” Fallis said. “I am so very pleased and blessed that I get to share it with you.”

The public is invited to a reception for these three artists on Friday, Dec. 4 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Aesop’s Fable Gets ‘Steampunk’ Treatment By Performing Arts at McPherson College

Posted On: November 6, 2015
By: MC Admin

Many can tell the Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” from memory. Tortoise challenges the bragging Hare to a race. The Hare – confident of victory – takes a nap, but the Tortoise continues to plod along so that “slow and steady wins the race.”

It’s unlikely, though, that anyone has experienced the classic tale in quite the way McPherson College will present it on Nov. 13 and 14 with “The Great Cross Country Race” by Alan Broadhurst.

Rather than a traditional “storybook” design, Crystal Osner of Conway Springs, Kan., is creating costumes in “steampunk” style for her senior project.

Steampunk – a sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy in literature and other art – is set in the Victorian period of the 19th century, but infuses it with a healthy dose of tropes from genre fiction. Think Charles Dickens – but with a grittier look that includes clockwork robots, steam-powered death rays and “2,000 Leagues Under the Sea” – inspired submarines.

“I like the steampunk fashion,” Osner said. “I like the Victorian style, but also the way steampunk roughs it up.”

The plot of the script itself doesn’t have any explicit elements of steampunk science fiction or fantasy. It’s essentially a simple retelling of the original Fable, with a few unique elements. For example, the story also has two children – who are the owners of the Tortoise – as part of the story, but they only speak in an almost-discernable “gobbledygook.” The children’s other pet – a basset hound – is the only one of the animals who can understand human speech and acts as translator.

Having parts for children also makes for another unique opportunity for college students and 11 students from McPherson Middle School to act together on the same stage.

Osner said there was at least one strong parallel between the story and the design. Clockwork gears incorporated throughout the look of the play will reinforce the idea of a timed race. Dr. Rick Tyler, professor of speech and theatre, has designed a forest setting for the play that is infused with inspiration from steampunk.

“The steampunk is really different,” he said. “The leaves are pieces of paper and there’s all kinds of clocks and gears.”

 

“The Great Cross Country Race” is showing at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3.50 for children ages high school and younger as well as seniors. Reservations may be made by contacting the theatre box office at 620-242-0444 or at [email protected].

Cast is: McPherson College – Nick Greenway, junior, Wichita, Kan. (The Hare); Josh Hall, senior, Tonganoxie, Kan. (A Badger); Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (A Rabbit); Ashley Burch, freshman, Pittsburg, Kan. (A Hedgehog); Logan Schrag, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (A Water Rat); Austin Crosby, sophomore, McPherson, Kan. (A Squirrel); James Covel, senior, Goddard, Kan. (The Tortoise) Callie Atkins, junior, Stillwater, Okla. (A Rook); Aubrey Hollinger, sophomore, Lyons, Kan. (The Dog).

McPherson Middle School – Zach Wash (Jack), Kendall Boughfman (Robin), Andre Patton (A Fisherman), Arriana Gross (Maude), Blade Anderson (George), Isaac Rickman (Mr. Notcouth), Kaylee Zeitlow (Mrs. Notcouth), Abbey Paulsen (Sophia Notcouth), Kade Goss (Brando Notcouth), Kaylie May (Farmer), and Sydney Achilles (Mrs. Stainer).

Crew is: Dr. Rick Tyler, professor of speech and theatre (director, set and lighting design); Addie Johnson, senior, McPherson, Kan. (stage manager); Crystal Osner, senior, Conway Springs, Kan. (costume and make-up design); Eric Johnson ’89 of McPherson, Kan. (technical director); Whitney Murray, sophomore, Kansas City, Kan. (props); Abby Trenkle, senior, Haysville, Kan.

More Than 420 Students of Jazz Music Arrive at McPherson College for Festival

Posted On: November 5, 2015
By: MC Admin

McPherson College was swinging, hopping and bopping on Thursday Nov. 5, as 426 middle school and high school musicians arrived on campus for the college’s second annual jazz festival.

Kyle Hopkins, associate professor of music and director of bands, is the founder and organizer of the annual festival, which he created to give area student jazz bands an opportunity to perform in the fall and get professional feedback. This year 22 bands from 20 central Kansas schools performed in the festival.

This year’s special guest was Mike Steinel, originally from Marion, Kan. This internationally recognized jazz performer and educator has taught Jazz Studies at the prestigious University of North Texas for 28 years. Steinel is best known as author of “Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble,” a popular jazz band method used by student musicians around the world. His numerous original compositions are published and performed all over the globe. He has performed and recorded with scores of prominent musicians, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Cobb, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby Shew and Lee Greenwood.

During the festival, Steinel presented a special workshop on jazz improvisation. Steinel said that improvisation has always been part of jazz music, and that learning to improvise was like learning to speak – hard at first, but soon perfectly natural.

“It’s fun to read a book,” he said, making a comparison to set sheet music. “But it’s even more fun to have a good conversation with a good friend.”

After the workshop, Steinel told Hopkins afterward how impressed he as with all the students’ attentiveness.

“The kids have been great,” Hopkins said. “That’s really a great testament, and our McPherson College students have been great hosts.”

The festival isn’t over yet, however. On Nov. 6, The Mike Steinel Quintet will visit area schools, giving jazz masterclasses. The festival will culminate with the Quintet’s performance Friday evening at the Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 and $5 for students and may be obtained at the door or by calling the ticket office at 620-241-1952. The concert will also include warm-up selections from the McPherson College Jazz Band, under Hopkins’ direction, and the Smoky Valley High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Shawn Knopp.

Other members of the Steinel Quintet include Rosana Eckert, an internationally recognized live and studio vocalist, songwriter, jazz educator, and voice-over talent; and Pat Coil, a celebrated pianist, composer and programmer. Rounding out the group are professional musicians and recording artists Jeff Eckels on bass and Steve Barnes on drums.

School bands that performed were from Hesston High School, Salina South High School, Salina Central High School, Nickerson High School, Chapman High School, Chapman Middle School, Abilene High School, McPherson High School, Inman High School, Larned High School, Smoky Valley High School, Wichita South High School, Goddard High School, Newton High School, Fort Riley Middle School, Lakewood Middle School, Hillsboro High School, Sterling High School and Sterling Middle School.

The Jazz Festival and final concert are sponsored by McPherson College and Holman, Snell and Munsey Financial Services. More information is available by calling Hopkins at 620-242-0521.

McPherson College Religious Heritage Lecturer Has Served Globally for Decades

Posted On: October 28, 2015
By: MC Admin
RHL-Roger-Schrock

Religious Heritage lecturer J. Roger Schrock at McPherson College on Nov. 8.

The Religious Heritage lecturer at McPherson College on Nov. 8 – J. Roger Schrock – will challenge both the campus and the broader McPherson community to more deeply consider the values of “Scholarship, Participation, and Service,” in their everyday lives.

“I think it can be nuanced in various ways that make it much richer, broader and fuller,” Schrock said said.

The college is pleased to welcome Schrock to present his lecture – “We’re Not in Kansas Anymore” – at 4 p.m. in the McPherson Church of the Brethren at 200 N. Carrie St. in McPherson, Kan.

Schrock is a 1967 MC alumnus with a degree in philosophy and religion and has spent most of his decades-long career in Christian ministry for the Church of the Brethren and in health and human services. Much of his work was on the other side of the globe in the Eastern Hemisphere – including Nigeria and Sudan in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Schrock plans to begin his lecture speaking about the long tradition of MC alumni working and serving outside of the United States – beginning with 1908, which was the earliest instance he could find of an MC alumnus working abroad. After his overview of prominent MC alumni who have worked abroad, he will then talk about the lessons he has learned in his own life while working and serving overseas and how they can lead to a deeper understanding of the college’s mission.

Schrock’s first job after earning a second degree from National Lewis University in Evanston, Ill., was to serve as a teacher at Waka Schools in Biu, Nigeria, from 1967 to 1970. He taught Christian religious knowledge, history and geography. Then from 1971 to 1976, he served as the medical director for the Lafiya Program of Lardin Gabas, Nigera, which included overseeing two hospitals, a leprosarium and dispensaries that served about 150,000 people. The World Health Organization recognized the program as one of three viable systems for delivering health care in Africa.

Back in the West, Schrock worked on his parents’ farm in Minnesota, then served as the pastor of the Lewiston Church of the Brethren in Minnesota until 1980. Then Ministry abroad called to him again, and until 1984, he was program director of the Western Nuer Primary Health Care Program in Sudan. This program focused on rural development – including human and animal health, water resources, and food – for about 200,000 people over 200,000 square miles around the Upper Nile River.

Late in 1984 he became the Africa Secretary for the World Ministry Commission of the Church of the Brethren, managing personnel and programs in Nigeria and Sudan. Then he served as the secretary for the commission and the associate general secretary for the church until 1990. In this role, he managed the mission, peace and service work of the church across five continents. Until 1995, he worked to organize the council of churches in the war zone of Southern Sudan as the executive secretary for the New Sudan Council of Churches. He was as director of personnel and programs in the Middle East and South Asia for the Reformed Church in America until 2000. Finally, Schrock served as the pastor of the Cabool Church of the Brethren in Cabool, Mo., until his retirement in 2015.

Schrock said that in terms of “Scholarship,” he has found that learning is about more than the classroom.

“When we traditionally think of ‘Scholarship,’ we’re thinking of academia and research,” he said. “I’m going to suggest that scholarship has to take on additional aspects.”

He advocated for thinking broader than traditional scholarship and to think of people as being expert scholars in terms of studying spirit and community as well.

Under “Participation,” Schrock said people should go beyond the individualistic, “Just Do It” mentality of personal achievement and view the mission more in terms of relationships and community connections. In particular, he will challenge his audience to build global community not only by learning new languages, but also the skills of language acquisition – that is, how to go about learning any new language.

Finally, under “Service,” Schrock plans to challenge listeners to examine their personal motivations and make sure that they are helping others for the right reasons.

“Service should be based on compassion,” he said, “on what is best for the person you are serving.”

As part of this, Schrock encourages people to avoid falling into “toxic service” – that is, helping people in a way that makes them dependent on aid instead of giving people the skills and resources to become self-sufficient. In the states, this is often known as “giving a man a fish” versus “teaching a man to fish,” but in Nigeria where Schrock worked much of his life, the saying goes slightly differently, he said.

“You’re always welcome to come and eat at the table,” he said. “But the second day, we’ll give you the hoe.”

The public is invited and encouraged to attend this free lecture. A webcast will also be made available at livestream.com/McPherson-College

Kansas City Watercolor Artist Displays ‘Intense’ Work at McPherson College

Posted On: October 26, 2015
By: MC Admin

Vibrant colors, hyper-realistic subjects and complex composition are hallmarks of Sandra Schaffer’s watercolor work currently on display in Friendship Hall at McPherson College.

The Kansas City, Mo., artist is presenting “A Brush with Color: Watercolor Paintings by Sandra Schaffer” through Nov. 21. The exhibition features 35 watercolor paintings with subjects as diverse as world culture, classic cars, and still life objects. What the paintings share in common is a use of super-saturated color and style that seems to pop from the paper.

“I’m looking for a high-intensity piece of work,” Schaffer said. “High intensity in color and high intensity in depth.”

Schaffer’s work has appeared in more than 200 regional, national and international shows since 1997 and has been featured in books and other publications. Among her honors are participation in the Japan Watercolor Federation/Watercolor Honor Society Exchange in Tokyo, Japan, in 2010; winning the Golden State Award in the California Watercolor Association 2012 National Exhibition; and being a multiple recipient of the Koch Purchase Award of the Kansas Watercolor Society – among others.

Using her own photography for reference, Schaffer works to create hyper-realistic effects through the use of irregular shapes of single solid colors – blending colors together to create depth, realism and brilliant light effects. Even when she’s painting inert objects such as a basket of peppers, there’s an energy present in every work.

“You’re not seeing something that’s sitting still,” Schaffer said. “You see something that has life in it.”

In much of her work, Schaffer’s goal is to portray cultural images, as in her images of the everyday life of people in South American and Asia.  Sometimes, as with her classic car series, the reflected culture is that of the Midwest and is – literally – a reflection.  Her focus is on the images surrounding the cars, reflecting these surroundings using the zoomed-in perspective of mirrors and chrome.

Wayne Conyers, professor of art, said he has had his work alongside Schaffer’s in shows before, which he has considered an honor. He was excited that they were finally able to arrange an exhibition of her work at McPherson College.

“I consider Sandra to be a ‘big time’ artist,” Conyers said. “Art enthusiasts should come see her work.”

A reception for Schaffer is planned for 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend.