Calling All Voices

Calling All Voices is a podcast that explores the stories of our Elmhurst University community.

Who gets to tell the story of a college or university? We believe that we all hold a piece of the truth when it comes to telling our history, and this podcast expands the kaleidoscope of voices that have made Elmhurst University what it is today.

Our journey of “becoming” Elmhurst University has been a saga of true transformation; we seek to provide new and innovative ways to give space and voice to the narratives that have been underrepresented in telling the story. How do all members of our institutions experience our mission? What voices are shaping the purposes and directions of our institution?

To truly comprehend the nature of our transformation—from Elmhurst Proseminary to Elmhurst College to Elmhurst University—we must intentionally seek out and listen to the diverse voices of members of our institutional community and allow those voices to contribute to the reframing of our institutional saga.

Meanwhile, in addition to this podcast, the storytelling project “Where I’m From” is collecting poems from members of the University community. If you would like to be included, you can submit your poem online.

Episode 4: Bruce King

Bruce King, Elmhurst University

Equity and Inclusion at Elmhurst

This episode, a discussion with Elmhurst University Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Bruce King, presents a definition of equity and inclusion, as well as King’s thoughts on what that will look like at Elmhurst.

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Episode 3: Study Away Experiences

Beatriz Gomez-Acuna, left, Melissa Newhouse and Mary Kay Mulvaney record an episode of the Elmhurst University podcast "Calling All Voices."Faculty members Dr. Mary Kay Mulvaney and Dr. Beatriz Gomez-Acuna, Melissa Newhouse of the Study Away office, and students Aleks Zdun and Christopher Perez discuss their experiences with Elmhurst University’s Study Away program. Put your feet up, listen, and be transported to far off shores as you learn about the power of study away to transform lives. Special thanks to CIC NetVUE grant for their generous financial support of this podcast.

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Episode 2: Robert (Bob) Ullman and H. Scott Matheney

Rev. Bob Ullman; Robert O. Ullman of the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees.H. Scott Matheney, Elmhurst UniversityThe Meaning of Institutional and Personal Calling

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Episode 1: Dr. Larry Carroll

Lawrence Carroll, Elmhurst University The Ever-Widening Circle: The Campus and the Community

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Episode Resources (Click to Expand)

The discussion references a visit to Elmhurst University by Martin Luther King Jr. Find more about that visit in the following video:

Guest Biographies

Rev. Robert Ullman ’71 has been a Pastor in the United Church of Christ since his graduation from UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary in 1977. Between College and Seminary Bob was on the Student Services staff of Rockford (IL) College as an Admissions Counselor and Residence Hall Director. Bob has been a member of the Elmhurst University Board of Trustees since 2000, having served as Chair of the Enrollment Management and Academic Affairs Committees of the Board. He has been an active participant in the development and evolution of the University’s Niebuhr Center for Engagement and Reflection since its inception in 2001. In 2016 Bob received the Alumni Merit Award for Distinguished Service to Alma Mater. He has further lived out his commitment to service to society through local and wider United Church of Christ involvement, serving two terms on his local school board and a variety of district advisory committees, founding a community-wide Valuing Diversity Task Force and a county-wide program connecting seniors and adults with disabilities with caring volunteers. Currently, he is co-chairing (with fellow E.U. alum, Rev. John Helt) the Wisconsin Conference U.C.C. Creation Care Team linking congregations and environmentally focused organizations across the state to foster environmental sustainability and eco-justice. Bob is a sought-after retreat leader and consultant on a variety of topics related to vocation, discernment and leadership development.  Bob lives in Sussex, WI with his wife, Julie ’74.

H. Scott Matheney has been Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life at Elmhurst University from 1997 to the Present. He is a native of San Diego, California with deep roots in New York City. Graduate of Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, with degrees in Political Science and Sociology, and a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary with postgraduate study at the University of Capetown, South Africa. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA, 1982, with standing in the United Church of Christ since 1984.

He has also served at Columbia University/Barnard College, New York City, 1982-1997 as Director of Religious Life/University Chaplain for the University, and Presbyterian/UCC Chaplain of Columbia University.

About This Podcast

The Calling all Voices podcast project is supported, in part, by funding from the Council of Independent Colleges’ Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education and their Reframing the Institutional Saga grant program.