Listening to the Community

Community Listening Sessions at Calvin are meant to offer faculty, staff and students opportunities to listen and dialogue with community partners who play a significant role in education, anti-racism, and the life of the city.

On Sunday, July 10, 2005, four Chinese accordionists visiting theUnited States for an international competitionperformed in the St. Cecilia Music Society's Royce Auditorium downtown Grand Rapids. This extravaganza was hosted by recent Calvin graduate Lin Xu, whose 2003 CD "Exuberance" features many of his own award-winning accordion solos. To order the CD, call 526-6175 or e-mail partnerships@calvin.edu

Previous Listening Sessions:
2003

In collaboration with Aquinas College's Community Leadership Institute, two National Issues Forums were held in the DeVos Communication Center forum - October 21, 2003, "News Media and Society: How to Restore the Public Trust" and on Nov. 19 "The New Science of Food: Facing up to Our Biotechnology Choices."

January, 2003 - Grand Rapids Public Schools Superintendent Bert Bleke and representatives from Institute for Community Partners
Oct. 18, 2002 Bob Lupton, Christian community development
Oct. 10, 2002 George Heartwell, Community Leadership Institute
Listening to Andy Zylstra

Left: Prof. Fred De Jong and students converse with Andy Zylstra '66, Director of the Kent County Family Independence Agency, at a November, 2002, on-campus listening session.

 
Oct. 2, 2002 Rev. Andy DeBraber, Coordinator of "Faith in Motion" discussed alternative commute options.
April 10, 2002 A look at hunger issues.
Feb. 19, 2002 GRACE Racial Justice Institute representatives promoted the Spring 2002 Summit on Racism.
Sept. 10, 2001

Community artists and Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism discussed partnerships with the college.
July 19, 2001 Town Meeting with Faith-Based Organizations and a representative of U.S. Office of Faith-based Initiatives
April 30, 2001 Presentation about Catherine's Care Center and Recuperation Center
April 23, 2001 Discussion on quality of life issues with Jonathan Bradfield, from Inner City Christian Federation
April 17, 2001 REGIS informational system representatives
March 8, 2001 GRACE Racial Justice presentation