Senate Report: 2011

The Senate, ICS's academic governing board, met on May 19 to review the work of our faculty, junior members, and research centre during the past academic year. After discussing materials prepared by ICS's Professional Status Committee and conducting interviews, the Senate approved Senior Members Nik Ansell (Theology) and Ron Kuipers (Philosophy of Religion) for continuing appointment (i.e., tenure). Nik and Ron also received approval for sabbaticals next year, and Ron was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor. Senior Member Rebekah Smick (Philosophy of the Arts and Culture) was re-appointed for a further three-year term. In addition, Doug Blomberg was appointed Academic Dean for two years, and Lambert Zuidervaart was appointed to a second one-year term as Director of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethics. We thank these faculty members for their excellent work and congratulate them on their significant achievements.

ICS's Senate has fourteen members: six "internal senators" from our administration, faculty, and junior members, and eight "external senators" from other schools. Each external senator serves for a five-year term and can serve two consecutive terms. Two of our senators reached the end of their terms on May 19: Professor Barbara Carvill (Emerita, Calvin College) and Professor Nicholas Wolterstorff (Emeritus, Yale University). They have served us faithfully and well for a combined total of more than 20 years. Professor Carvill has also served as ICS's chancellor in recent years. We offer our heartfelt thanks to Barb and Nick.

On May 19 the Senate appointed Dr. Jennifer Harris to be ICS's next chancellor. The chancellor represents ICS in public academic settings, most notably in the awarding of master's and doctoral degrees. A member of ICS's Senate for the past five years, Dr. Harris is Associate Professor in the Christianity and Culture Program at the University of St. Michael's College and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. We extend our hearty congratulations to Jennifer and thank her for taking up the chancellor's position.

April 9 in Edmonton: Healing Art

Music, creative writing and the visual arts can be agents of healing in a broken world. But they need healing too. Join Lambert Zuidervaart as he shares insights from his most recent books. Lambert will talk about the role of the arts in society, and he will reflect on how music and creative writing have helped him live with personal loss.

You will have a chance to greet Lambert at a book-signing reception, where copies of Dog-Kissed Tears: Songs of Friendship, Loss and Healing and Art in Public: Politics, Economics and a Democratic Culture will be on sale.

Saturday, April 9, 2011
The King's University College
9125 50 St., Edmonton

10:00-11:30 Art in Public
11:30-12:30 Break, book sales
12:30-1:30 Dog Kissed Tears
1:30-2:30 Book signing, reception

April 7 in Calgary: Dog-Kissed Tears: Songs of Friendship, Loss and Healing

Dog-Kissed Tears explores the life and loss of a remarkable 15-year-old retriever named Rosa. Lambert Zuidervaart tells the story of a furry family member’s unconditional love and gives voice to the quiet grief of losing a canine companion and dear friend. His meditative memoir, sprinkled with musical references and spiritual overtones, connects Rosa’s friendship to his circle of human friends. Lambert's reflections on Rosa’s life and death bring back childhood memories and lead him into self-discoveries of middle age. Join Lambert as he reads from his book and reflects on how music and creative writing can help us live through personal loss.

Thursday, April 7, 2011 7:00 pm
Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church
3020 51 Street SW, Calgary

April 6 in Toronto: Art Exhibition and Art Talks!

Art and Theology in Dialogue

Concerning the Spiritual in Art
Art Exhibition of works by Toronto artists Tim Whiten, Ted Rettig, Paul Fournier and Lynne McIlvride-Evans

Exhibition Opening Reception:
April 6, 4:30 - 6:30pm
Toronto School of Theology, 47 Queen's Park Crescent East

Panel Discussion with the Artists:
April 6, 7:00-8:30pm following the opening reception
Moderated by Dr. Rebekah Smick, Institute for Christian Studies
Fr. Bob Madden Hall, 100 St. Joseph Street (in Carr Hall)
University of St. Michael’s College (USMC)

Exhibition Hours
April 6 - May 6, 2011
Monday - Friday • 9 am – 5 pm
Toronto School of Theology
47 Queen’s Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C3

Private Tours
New this year! Private tours of Fr. Dan Donovan’s extensive art collection housed at USMC – escorted by Fr. Donovan himself!
Limited opportunity, each tour with a maximum of 15
Sign-up begins at the April 6 Panel Discussion
Thereafter by telephone: 416-978-4039

Sponsored By
The Toronto School of Theology | www.tst.edu | 416.978.4039
Institute for Christian Studies | www.icscanada.edu | 416.979.2331 | 1.888.326.5347

"Art in Public" Resources Available

Resources related to Lambert Zuidervaart's recent "Art in Public" events in Grand Rapids have become available at http://artinpublicingr.wordpress.com/ including the outline and summary for the lecture "Who’s Afraid of the NEA? Justice, Solidarity, and a Democratic Culture."

April 14 in Grand Rapids: Reception for Lambert Zuidervaart

There will be an Open House Reception for Lambert Zuidervaart (director of the Centre for Philosophy, Religion and Social Ethic) on Thursday, April 14 7:00-9-00 pm. The reception is hosted by Alice and Morris Greidanus, and Janet and Peter Borgdorff. RSVP: (616) 560-2092 or peterborgdorff@comcast.net