JBU to Host Diversity Symposium
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (March 6, 2018) – John Brown University’s Diversity Committee will host a symposium on diversity, titled “Engaging Complexity in Faith Communities: A Collaborative Approach to Social Justice,” to discuss social justice and inclusion in faith communities on Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9 in JBU’s Simmons Great Hall.
The symposium will feature prominent religious and community leaders as speakers, including Dr. James Hawkins III, the marriage and family pastor at New Heights Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Dr. Marcia Livingston, the associate professor for the College of Education at Oral Roberts University; Iris Aquino, an nationwide advocate for immigrant rights; and Jim Hall, the co-directional leader and teaching pastor of New Heights Church.
“Diversity in the church and in our culture is something we should focus on; however, it’s not always talked about in our community,” Dr. Marquita Smith, JBU Diversity Committee chair, said. “This is an opportunity to have healthy discussions and begin thought-provoking conversations with each other.”
The first session of the symposium will begin on Thursday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Hawkins, who will lead a conversation on working together to further God’s Kingdom among different cultures, titled “A More Excellent Way: Working Together for His Kingdom.”
Friday’s sessions will begin with a welcome from Dr. Trisha Posey, JBU professor and member of the JBU Diversity Committee, at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 1:30 p.m. with closing remarks from JBU President Dr. Chip Pollard and Dr. Smith.
The JBU Diversity Committee welcomes everyone in the community to come learn about diversity and its application within our faith communities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges, 2018), JBU enrolls more than 2,500 students from 41 states and 50 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 40 majors, with top programs including business administration, graphic design, engineering, construction management, counseling, teacher education and nursing.
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