Elaine Barge Archives - EMU News

‘Hope For Peace Day’ Shares Vision

Chris Edwards — Fri, 25 May 2007 04:00:00 +0000

May 19 at EMU was set aside for hope.

Nearly 200 people celebrated “Hope for Peace Day,” which brought 125 to campus to join learners in Saturday workshops, forums, storytelling, youth activities, music, dance and fellowship — organized by the .

Katherine Morgan, Staunton, Va., adds a symbol to the ‘welcoming table’ at the opening ceremony of ‘Hope for Peace Day.’
Photo by Jim Bishop

An opening ceremony paired flowers with qualities symbolized, such as black-eyed Susans signifying justice; dahlias, eloquence.

Citing grass-roots peacebuilding successes, CJP faculty member Lisa Schirch said,”We keep getting asked, when can we go to higher levels?”

Security and Foreign Policy

The “3D Security Initiative” attempts that, Dr. Schirch said in a workshop titled “Influencing US Foreign Policy”

Play Spotlights Political Intrigue

Jim Bishop — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:00:00 +0000

CIA agent Blonigan (Nathan Kauffman) tries to justify the US’ inpending invasion of Grenada to medical student Alex (Caleb Johnson.
Photo by Jim Bishop

In this setting, political intrigue and a struggle for sensibility in a crazy world come to the fore in “Halcyon Days,” a dark comedy by Steven Dietz, the fall mainstage theater production at ��ݮ��.

Patrick Reynolds, assistant professor of , directs a nine-member student cast in this suspenseful flashback to Ronald Reagan’s America, with showtimes 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17 in EMU’s mainstage theater in the University Commons.

A C.I.A. representative and Nathan and Elaine Zook Barge, a couple who have done peace work for many years in Central America, will respond to the play following the last performance on Nov. 17.

The play, approximately two hours in length with an intermission, is not recommended for children.

Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the door; seniors and non-EMU students, $8 advance and $10 at the door. A special group rate is available.

For advance tickets, call the EMU box office, 540-432-4582.

EMU Connects With ‘Future Generations’ Students

Chris Edwards — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 04:00:00 +0000

L. to r.: Dr. Torill Iversen, Norway (working with Future Generations, Afghanistan); Sivan Oun, World Relief, Cambodia; and Margaret Kaggwa, Milago Hospital, Uganda, were among the 15 community leaders from 14 countries taking part in a fifth summer session of EMU’s Summer Peacebuilding Institute, July 24-28; from there, the group went to Mennonite Central Committee headquarters in Akron, Pa.
Photo by Jim Bishop

by Chris Edwards

Sixteen students from almost as many countries passed through ��ݮ�� (EMU) recently on their worldwide quest for a masters degree in “applied community change and conservation.” Their previous stop was India. Future stops will be Peru, Nepal and Tibet.

The students belonged to an innovative, two-year graduate program called “Future Generations,” for which Daniel W. (Dan) Wessner is the academic director. Dr. Wessner is associate professor of international and political studies at EMU.

“We are small people,” said Vietnamese student Dang Ngoc Quang, referring to his and his peers