Achieving Wellness, Strength and Resiliency
Welcome to Elmhurst University’s Fall 2023 speaker series.
As the University breaks ground this fall on a new health sciences building, this year’s Cultural Season theme is Built to Last: Achieving Wellness, Strength and Resiliency. It’s about seeking robust health—as individuals, as institutions and as a society—and learning how to maintain it.
All of our cultural events are open to the public. Tickets will be made available for purchase here, and when demand permits, they will also be available at the door. Events will be in person unless otherwise indicated. For lectures and most other events, admission is free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Questions? Email marketing@elmhurst.edu.
Mental Health Matters: A Conversation
with Karamo
As the culture expert on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated hit series Queer Eye, and host of a nationally syndicated talk show, Karamo is known for his ease in relating to people and helping them discover strength in their identities. Drawing from his own life experience and work in social services, Karamo will talk about the mental health journey, especially for young people, in conversation with Lauren Petty, medical and health reporter for NBC-Chicago Channel 5.
The 2023 Roland Quest Lecture
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel
Admission is $15; free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni
The Role of Law in 2024
Nicholas Schroeck ’02
Nicholas Schroeck ’02 is associate dean of experiential learning and director of the Environmental Law Clinic at Detroit Mercy Law School. Schroeck, who was an urban studies major at Elmhurst, and his law students will meet remotely with the Elmhurst audience for a spirited conversation about the foundations and function of the law and its role in society today.
Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Melanchthon Room
Admission is free
Why Theology Matters
H. Scott Matheney
In his 26th year as chaplain at Elmhurst University, the Rev. H. Scott Matheney will reflect on why theology continues to be relevant today, whether there is such a thing as healthy or destructive theology and how theology can help one find one’s voice amid all the noise.
Thursday, Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m.
The Chaplain’s Home, 255 Elm Park Ave., Elmhurst
Admission is free
Part of the Religious Literacy Project at Elmhurst University
Queer and Faithful
Ann Kansfield
The Rev. Ann Kansfield, ordained in the United Church of Christ and the first woman chaplain for the New York City Fire Department, will speak on campus as part of National Coming Out Day. Kansfield also serves as pastor of Greenpoint Reformed Church in New York City, and is the author of Be the Brave One, a collection of ministry adventures told around the theme of living out one’s spiritual values.
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7:00 p.m.
Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel
Admission is free
Part of the Religious Literacy Project at Elmhurst University
Telling Our Stories: Moving Illinois Forward for LGBTQIA+ Justice
Michael Ziri
Michael Ziri is the director of public policy at Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for LGBTQIA+ people. At this year’s William R. Johnson Lecture at Elmhurst University, he will discuss legislative initiatives focused on equality in Illinois.
The William R. Johnson Intercultural Lecture
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Founders Lounge
Admission is free
Ethical Leadership: Why It Matters Now
Lawrence “LB” Brown
Organizations are facing myriad challenges—local, national and global. Whether it’s balancing a triple bottom line or navigating tumultuous sociopolitical dynamics, ethical leadership can play an important role in successfully negotiating those challenges. Elmhurst University MBA Program Director Lawrence “LB” Brown will host a conversation on building an ethical value system that can help drive employee engagement and build business success.
The Graduate Studies Lecture Series
Tuesday, Oct. 17, 7:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Blume Board Room
Admission is free
Celebrating 25 years of graduate studies at Elmhurst University
Everything is Interfaith at Elmhurst University
Mark Pettis
The Rev. Mark Pettis is the minister for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the United Church of Christ. In this role, he travels around the nation and world building partnerships and bridges of hope to address hate. At Elmhurst, he will discuss his work, which informs the mission and core values of Elmhurst University.
Hosted by the Spiritual Life Council and the Office of the Chaplain
Monday, Oct. 23, 12:00 p.m.
The Chaplain’s Home, 255 Elm Park Ave., Elmhurst
Admission is free
Part of the Religious Literacy Project
For more information, contact the Office of the Chaplain
Three Girls from Bronzeville: An Author Visit with Dawn Turner
Dawn Turner is the author of Three Girls from Bronzeville: A Uniquely American Memoir of Race, Fate, and Sisterhood, which depicts the coming of age—and divergent paths—of the author, her younger sister and her best friend in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. An award-winning author and journalist, Turner will talk about her book and her work with Andrea Krieg, assistant professor of criminal justice at Elmhurst University. A book signing will follow the lecture.
Presented with the Elmhurst Public Library and Friends of the Elmhurst Public Library
One Book, One Elmhurst*
Thursday, Oct. 26, 7:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Founders Lounge
Admission is free but registration is required
*One Book, One Elmhurst is a partnership of the Elmhurst Public Library and Elmhurst University that encourages the entire community to read and engage with the same book title. Learn more at elmlib.org/OneBook.
How Today’s AI Will Impact Your Profession and How You Can Prepare
James Kulich
As advances in artificial intelligence accelerate, the emphasis is quickly shifting from careers in AI to careers with AI. James Kulich, director of the Master in Data Science and Analytics program at Elmhurst University, will lead a panel of experts in a discussion about the impacts of AI on your professional world, whatever it might be, and ways to tap into its potential.
The Graduate Studies Lecture Series
Thursday, Nov. 2, 7:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Blume Board Room
Admission is free
Celebrating 25 years of graduate studies at Elmhurst University
Past Events
The Public Intellectual Life of Elmhurst University
A panel of distinguished Elmhurst University faculty considers the elements—in particular, the University’s vibrant intercultural and religious lectures—that invigorate the campus’s public intellectual life. How does Elmhurst’s public intellectual life enhance the student experience and enrich the greater community, and how can we further its reach?
Faculty Panelists:
- Josh VanArsdall, Associate Chair and Associate Professor, Psychology
- Lawrence Brown, Assistant Professor, Business and Economics; Director, MBA Program
- Mary Kay Mulvaney, Professor, English; Director, Honors Program
- Theresa Robinson, Associate Professor, Education; Director, Noyce PRIDE STEM Teacher Scholars Program; Program Director, Secondary Education
- Katrina Sifferd, Professor, Philosophy; Genevieve Staudt Endowed Chair
Moderators:
- Bruce King, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion
- Dean Pribbenow, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty
Hosted by the Office of the Chaplain
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 11:45 a.m.
Schaible Science Center, Illinois Hall
Admission is free
Chicagolandia: How Latinos Remade the Suburbs
Antonio Ramirez
Antonio Ramirez is a social justice advocate and associate professor of Latino history at Elgin Community College. At this year’s César Chavéz lecture at Elmhurst University, Ramirez will explain the Chicagolandia Oral History Project, which documents the lives, work and culture of Latinx suburban communities around Chicago while exploring the impact of those communities on the changing nature of Chicago and its suburbs.
The César Chavéz Intercultural Lecture
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4:00 p.m.
Frick Center, Founders Lounge
Admission is free