April 2013 events at Goshen College

 All events are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted.

1       10 a.m., Convocation: “Women and Islam” with guest speaker Annie Dandavati,
College Church-Chapel

Annie Dandavati is professor of political science and director of international studies at Hope College in Holland, Mich.

3      4 p.m., Science Speakers: “Ecological Agriculture: Good for North America and Good for
         Africa,” Science Building, Room 106

Dale Hess, Merry Lea collegiate program director and associate professor of agroecology at Goshen College, and Luke Gascho, Director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center at Goshen College, will speak on the topic of North American and African ecological agriculture.

3       7 p.m., Parables home concert, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall

The Goshen College worship team, Parables, use personal faith stories, original drama and music from across the globe to reflect ideas on the theme “Wherever You Are: Creating Sacred Space.”

5      8 p.m., Spring Mainstage: “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard, Jr., Umble Center

Directed by Tamera Izlar, assistant professor of theater at Goshen College, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man with an uncanny gift for finding water, and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors/students/GC employees. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

6       4 p.m., Faculty Recital Series: Dr. Christopher Fashun, percussion, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall

Goshen College Assistant Professor of Music Christopher Fashun will present a percussion recital as part of the 2012-13 Goshen College Faculty Recital Series. An incredibly diverse and versatile conductor and performer, Fashun conducts the Symphony Orchestra, directs the Lavender Jazz Ensemble, oversees the music education program, conducts the orchestras for musicals and opera, and teaches applied percussion at Goshen College.

Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for seniors/students, GC students/faculty/staff free with ID. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

6       8 p.m., Spring Mainstage: “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard, Jr., Umble Center

Directed by Tamera Izlar, assistant professor of theater at Goshen College, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man with an uncanny gift for finding water, and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors/students/GC employees. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

7       2-4 p.m., Senior II Exhibit Reception, Music Center’s Hershberger Art Gallery

Graduating seniors in the Goshen College Art department will present work as part of their senior show. The exhibit runs through April 17.

7       3 p.m., Public Reception: “Inherited Quilts”, Good Library Art Gallery

Sponsored by the Mennonite-Amish Museum Committee, a wide variety of vintage and antique quilts will be on display, mostly Mennonite and Amish, that have been inherited by members of the group “Mennonite Women.” Curated by Rebecca Haarer of Shipshewana, Ind.

7       3 p.m., Spring Mainstage: “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard, Jr., Umble Center

Directed by Tamera Izlar, assistant professor of theater at Goshen College, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man with an uncanny gift for finding water, and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors/students/GC employees. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

9       12 p.m., Afternoon Sabbatical: International Luncheon featuring travels to Turkey with Merle
and Mary Hochstedler
, College Church Fellowship Hall

In the fall of 2010 Goshen College Adult Educational Travel, hosted by Janette Yoder, visited Turkey. Merle and Mary, who have lived in Turkey for 24 years, will give a delightful and memorable view of this very interesting country. Enjoy traditional Turkish food, a glimpse of the Goshen College tour and sharing by the Hochstedlers.

Tickets are $20 before March 30, $25 after March 30. Tickets may be purchased by calling (574) 535-7565.

9       7:30 p.m., Student Chamber Music Recital, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall

Goshen College student musicians will present various works of chamber music. The chamber ensembles are coached by GC Associate Professor of Music Solomia Soroka.

Tickets are $7 adults, $5 senior/students, and are available at the door one hour before the concert. GC students/faculty/staff free with ID.

10     4 p.m., Science Speaker: “Searching for a Connection Between the Insect Circadian Clock
and Seasonal Clock
,” Science Building, Room 106

Megan Meuti, a doctoral candidate at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in the Department of Entomology at The Ohio State University, explores the connection between the circadian clock in insects and the seasons.

12     4 p.m., Science Speaker: “Classifying Quasars,” Science Building, Room 106

Tina Peters, a doctoral candidate at Drexel University and 2010 Goshen College graduate, will speak about her research into quasars. 

12     8 p.m., Spring Mainstage: “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard, Jr., Umble Center

Directed by Tamera Izlar, assistant professor of theater at Goshen College, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man with an uncanny gift for finding water, and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors/students/GC employees. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

13     7:30 p.m., Earthtones Concert: Songs From Many Cultures, Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall

The Goshen College Choirs will present the ninth annual Earthtones choral concert, featuring choral works in various languages from a wide variety of cultures and countries. Performing are the Goshen College Chamber Choir & Women’s World Music Choir (directed by Debra Brubaker, professor of music), Chorale & Men’s Chorus (directed by Scott Hochstetler, associate professor of music).

Tickets are $7 general, $5 seniors/students, GC students/faculty/staff free with ID. Show tickets may be purchased at the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu or at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or at the door one hour before the concert. 

14     3 p.m., Spring Mainstage: “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard, Jr., Umble Center

Directed by Tamera Izlar, assistant professor of theater at Goshen College, this marvelously theatrical play is the story of a disturbed young man with an uncanny gift for finding water, and his friendship with a disenchanted preacher in southern Indiana in the early 1930s.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors/students/GC employees. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

19     4 p.m., Science Speakers: “Working to Find Sustainable Solutions in the Midst of Real World
Complexity,”
Science Building Room 106

Goshen College Students Lydia Yoder, Krystel Pierre and Karsten Hess will present their work on “Building the future for the Farm-to-Fork Heritage Center.” Hannah Geiser and Jonathan Mark will present their work on “Lawns of Communication: GC and the EPA Campus RainWorks Challenge.”

19     7:30 p.m., Goshen College Symphony Orchestra concert, Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall

The Goshen College Symphony Orchestra will present their Spring Concert in Sauder Concert Hall. The GCSO is conducted by Christopher Fashun, assistant professor of music at Goshen College. In addition to an exciting program of orchestral favorites, a Brazilian piece chosen for this occasion by Fashun, and birthday cake for all in honor of Mary K. Oyer’s 90th birthday in the Music Center Lobby will highlight the evening.

Tickets are $7 general, $5 seniors/students, GC students/faculty/staff free with ID. Show tickets may be purchased at the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566, emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu or at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or at the door one hour before the concert.

20        Mary K. Oyer’s 90th Birthday Celebration, Goshen College Professor Emerita Mary Oyer turns 90 years old this April. Guests are invited by the GC Music Department and Music Center to take part in these events in honor of her extraordinary life and legacy: 

1 p.m., Hymn sing, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall
GC professor of music Debra Brubaker, dean of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Rebecca Slough, and GC organ instructor Kevin Vaughn will lead a community hymn sing.

2:30 p.m., Discussion: Musical Instruments as a Window to African Culture, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall
Mary Oyer and ethnomusicologist Roderic Knight will discuss the history and cultural value of musical instruments in Africa while demonstrating various types.

4 p.m., Discussion: Mary Oyer African Music Project, Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall
2012 GC alumna Lisa Horst and Mary Oyer will discuss and explain the Mary Oyer African Music Project and its accompanying displays in the Music Center Lobby.

5:30 p.m., African themed meal, College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall
(RESERVATION REQUIRED) Cost: $25 per person. You may reserve your place and pay by credit card by calling the Music Center office at 574-535-7361, or by mailing your check written and addressed to GC Music Center, 1700 S Main St, Goshen, IN 46526. Please note MKO dinner on subject line of your check.

7:30 p.m., Celebration program, Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall
with an address by Mary, singing by the GC Women’s World Music Choir, hymn singing led by Eastern Mennonite University professor of music Dr. Kenneth Nafziger and others, and a performance by the Goshen College String Quartet. Tickets are $5; free for all students.

23    7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Series: Lea Salonga, Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall

Known across the world for her powerful voice, Lea Salonga is a Tony Award winning singer and actress, most recognized for her roles as Kim in Miss Saigon, as Eponine in Les Misérables and as the singing voice of two official Disney princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan. The New York Times describes her voice as “a shiny all-purpose instrument that confidently establishes its dominion over whatever musical setting surrounds it.” The 2013-14 Performing Arts Series lineup will also be announced at this concert.
Tickets are $45, $40, $25. Show tickets may be purchased online at www.goshen.edu/tickets, or by calling the Welcome Center at (574) 535-7566 or by emailing welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

27-28   115th annual Commencement

 Saturday, April 27
1:30 p.m., Senior nurses pinning ceremony, College Mennonite Church
7:30 p.m., Senior class program, Music Center

Sunday, April 28
11 a.m., Baccalaureate service, College Mennonite Church
3 p.m., Commencement, Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center
Speaker: “Searching for what’s real in a digital world” by Dan Charles, a food and agriculture correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR)

Goshen College’s Administration Building, Church-Chapel, Good Library, Music Center, Newcomer Center and Umble Center are accessible to people using wheelchairs and others with physical limitations.

Directions to the college and a campus map are available at: www.goshen.edu/aboutgc/map. For ticket information, contact the Welcome Center, at (574) 535-7566, or email welcomecenter@goshen.edu.