People from around the globe are bringing perspective, culture and entertainment to Dixie State College in the Dixie Forum: A Window on the World.
The Dixie Forum is a lecture series directed by Terre Burton, associate professor of English. She said the program is designed to introduce students to diverse ideas and personalities, and to widen their world views.
Almost every week of this semester, the Dixie Forum will feature a speaker with unique experiences and knowledge or ideas concerning a number of topics aimed at attracting and inspiring college students. The Dixie Forum presents a diverse selection of speakers and performers. This semester a NASA scientist, a DSC student who played in the NFL, and "GI Jill," the former Miss Utah who has been deployed to Afghanistan twice, are all speaking.
Students can receive college credit for attending the lectures. To enroll, students must have an add-card signed for Hon 1610.
"That's easy," Burton said. "Even if I'm not here, students can leave it on my door and I'll get it signed and back to them."
To earn the credit, students must attend a few of the lectures and write a brief reaction paper, which can focus on any element of the presentation they find intriguing. The purpose of the reflection paper is to encourage students to become more open minded through thoughtful consideration of ideas that are unlike their own.
"I want the students to have freedom to really reflect on what's being said, so I try not to be too prescriptive," Burton said. "They don't always agree with the speakers either. There are some students who don't want to listen to anybody that's different and they'll find things to nitpick. But for most of us, I think hearing others' ideas is really mind opening, especially when you're there just for knowledge's sake."
Addy Torrez, a senior nursing major from Mexico City, expressed how important it is to be open minded.
"We are living in 2010," she said. "We need to be aware of what's going on around us."
The next forum, which will be held Thursday in the Eccles Concert Hall, features Lauren Pelon, who has performed across the world in countries such as Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand and Russia. In the presentation, which will be sponsored by the Utah Humanities Council, Pelon will discuss the role of music in various cultures and perform more than 20 ancient and modern instruments.
"If we want to grow as individuals, expand our world-view, or transform ourselves or the culture, exposing ourselves to new ideas, concepts and ways of thinking gives us that opportunity," Pelon said. "Expanding our view of the world's many cultures helps us gain a broader perspective on life. It can teach us the art of listening, understanding, empathy, compassion, creativity… And in this process, of course, we also gain a greater understanding of ourselves."
Unless otherwise designated, the Dixie Forum is held in the Dunford Auditorium at noon on Tuesdays. This following is this semester's schedule.
Feb. 9 - Marius Van der Merwe: "Sub-Antarctic Marion Island: a Natural History and My Experiences There"
Feb. 16 - Shirley Sung Davis and Elwin Davis: "Waiguorens' Glimpses of the Middle Kingdom"
Feb. 23 - Jill Stevens: "Miss Utah's Experiences in Afghanistan"
March 2 - Andy Christensen: "Water on the Moon: NASA Science and Politics."
March 16 - Jay Schroeder: "Experiences in the NFL and Preparing for Life"
March 23 - Louise Excell and David Pettit: "Grand Staircase Controversy"
March 30 - Calvin Durfey and Ann Durfey: "Humanitarian Missions and How Different Denominations Work Together"
April 6 & 13 - TBA
April 20 - Raging Red Show Choir with Marilee Webb
April 27 - Mark Matheson: "Shakespeare"
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