March 2009 events at Goshen College

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

1
7 a.m., Spring Birding Challenge with Merry Lea, through May 31, 2009
Get outdoors this spring by entering a team in Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College's annual birding competition. Teams may include up to four adults and any number of children. Track all the species seen by at least two members and report sightings to Merry Lea. Weekly e-mail updates keep you informed of exciting sightings and the challenge ends with a pizza party. E-mail lisarz@goshen.eduto register your team at either the Novice, Experienced or Super Crazy Birder level. Cost: $10 per team.

1
7 a.m., Citizen Science: Tracking Nature's Changes, through Nov. 1, 2009
Phenology is the study of reoccurring natural phenomena and the times they occur. For centuries, records of emergence of leaves, times of harvest, appearance of butterflies and insects, and so forth, have been useful for people trying to understand and predict their ecosystems. Today, in the era of global warming, these kinds of records take on a new significance. If you spend time outdoors, even in your own backyard, join Merry Lea's citizen science watch and help gather data on what's happening when and where. For more information contact Jennifer H. Schrock – phone (260) 799-5869, e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

1
7:30 p.m., Goshen College Chamber Choir Home Concert, College Mennonite Church
The Goshen College Chamber Choir, directed by Professor of Music Debra Brubaker, will conclude its spring tour to Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin with a concert at College Mennonite Church. The choir will perform their tour program, which includes choral works from a wide variety of cultures and languages. Admission is free; a goodwill offering will be taken.

6
7:30 p.m., Faculty Recital Series: "Reflections of Divine Mystery in the World," Rieth Recital Hall
Associate Professor of Music Susan Dengler will be joined by Assistant Professor of Music and Pianist Christine Larson Seitz, and Professor of English Ann Hostetler in a lecture-recital examining the poetry of Emily Dickinson in songs by Aaron Copland, Vincent Persichetti, John Duke and Alice Parker.
Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors & students. GC students are free with valid ID.

7
8:30 a.m., Take Another Look, Newcomer Center
A taste of Goshen College life for seniors who have already submitted their applications ... stay in the residence hall, meet some of your future classmates, be involved in campus activities. To register for this event call (574) 535-7164 or e-mail admission@goshen.edu.

7
5 p.m., International Student Club Coffeehouse, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall/Sauder Concert Hall
This extravaganza features a delicious international meal cooked by the college's international students (with foods from around the world) at 5 p.m. in the Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall, and then a variety show put on by the same students at 7 p.m. in Sauder Concert Hall. This educational and fun event is a fund raiser for the club.
Tickets are available at the Welcome Center by calling (574) 535-7566. The dinner and show cost $17 for adults, $11 for GC students and kids under 12. The program only costs $10 for adults, $6 for GC students and kids under 12.

8
2-4 p.m., Art exhibit opening reception: Senior Exhibition I, Hershberger Art Gallery
Senior art students exhibit work in a chosen medium. This exhibit runs until March 18.

8
4 p.m., Lenten Hymn Sing, Rieth Recital Hall
Join members of the Goshen College community to sing old and new hymns with a Lenten theme. Admission is free; the public is warmly invited.

9
9:36 p.m., PAX Movie Night: "Handala," with the Director and Producer, Administration Building, Room 28
Watch "Handala" and have a time of questions and answers with the film's director, Adam Beach, and producer, Peder Wiegner. "Handala" is a film about the paradox of tremendous hope in various forms of localized Palestinian and Israeli nonviolence, and at the same time, the devastating hopelessness of over 40 years of ever more violent occupation and ethnic cleansing in Palestine. It draws from material filmed in the occupied Palestinian Gaza Strip and West Bank, and Israel in the summer of 2007.

10
1 p.m., Afternoon Sabbatical: "A Peek Behind the Scenes," Sauder Concert Hall
Professor of Theater Doug Liechty Caskey and Professor of Music Debra Brubaker, directors of the spring mainstage production "The Gondoliers," offer a sneak preview behind the scenes in the making of the GC opera/musical. Audiences typically encounter a production at the very end of the process, the actual performances. Learn more about what happens in the months prior to opening night as student and faculty artists collaborate in many different areas to bring together a successful stage production.

11
7 p.m., Yoder Public Affairs Lecture: Bill McKibben, Sauder Concert Hall
Bill McKibben is a well-known thinker and writer on environmental economics and author of a recent book "Deep Economy." He will talk about the "The Most Important Number in the World: Building a Worldwide Movement to Fight Climate Change."

14
12:30-5 p.m., Goshen College Undergraduate Research Symposium, Newcomer Center Room 14 and Room 17 and Koinonia Room
The 11th annual Goshen College Research Symposium will again include students presenting papers from their various disciplines. The symposium's mission is to acknowledge original undergraduate research that plays an essential role in the college's academic program and to encourage students and faculty to contribute to the larger conversation about knowing and knowledge that sustains the academy. The symposium brings together students and faculty members involved in original research and scholarly activity from all disciplines.

14
7:30 p.m., EARTHTONES: Songs from Many Cultures, Sauder Concert Hall
The Goshen College Choirs (Chorale, Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, Women's World Music Choir) will present their third annual EARTHTONES concert. Subtitled "Songs from Many Cultures," the program will feature choral works drawn from a wide variety of cultures and countries. The choirs are directed by Debra Brubaker and Scott Hochstetler.
Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, available at the door one hour before the concert.

15
4 p.m., Organ Recital Series: Leon Couch III, Rieth Recital Hall
Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, available at the door one hour before the concert.

18
10 a.m., Chapel: "The Scandal of Grace," Shane Claiborne, Church-Chapel
Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. Claiborne writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series "Another World Is Possible" and is the author of several books, including "The Irresistible Revolution" and "Jesus for President."

18
7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Series: Estonia National Symphony Orchestra with Joyce Yang, pianist, Sauder Concert Hall.
On its debut American tour, the 100-member Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will perform with 2005 Van Cliburn Silver Medalist Joyce Yang. Winning the BBC Music Magazine's Best Orchestral Recording award in 2006, the orchestra will be conducted by music director Nikolai Alexeev
Cost: $45, $40, $20; choral terrace tickets $15, available March 2

19
7 p.m., Shane Claiborne, Old Goshen Theater downtown
Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. Claiborne writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series "Another World Is Possible" and is the author of several books, including "The Irresistible Revolution" and "Jesus for President."

20
10 a.m., Chapel: "Another Way of Doing Life," Shane Claiborne, Church-Chapel
Shane Claiborne is a founding partner of The Simple Way, a faith community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped to birth and connect radical faith communities around the world. Claiborne writes and travels extensively speaking about peacemaking, social justice and Jesus. He is featured in the DVD series "Another World Is Possible" and is the author of several books, including "The Irresistible Revolution" and "Jesus for President."

21
10 a.m., Sugar Bush Open House, Huntertown, Ind.
Bring your favorite children for a hands-on experience making maple syrup with Larry Yoder of Yoder Farm and the Merry Lea education team. See Merry Lea's Web site for directions to the Yoder Sugar Bush. Pre-registration required. Suggested donation: $4 per family. Contact: Roberta Miller, phone (260) 799-5869 or e-mail ramiller@goshen.edu.

21
7:30 p.m., Lavender Jazz Spring Concert – "Into Action," Sauder Concert Hall
Lavender Jazz, Goshen College's big band directed by Sonny Carreño, presents their spring concert. They will present a mix of jazz, Latin and world beat charts, and look resplendent in their lavender ties.
Tickets are $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, available at the door one hour before the concert.

22
2-4 p.m., Art exhibit opening reception: Senior Exhibition II, Hershberger Art Gallery
Senior art students exhibit work in a chosen medium. This exhibit runs until April 2.

22
9 p.m., Taizé Worship Service, Newcomer Center 19

27
8 a.m., Campus Open House, Music Center Lobby
An overview of Goshen College ... attend classes, eat in the dining hall, meet with faculty and students. The option of an overnight stay in our residence halls is also available. To register for this event call (574) 535-7535, e-mail admission@goshen.edu or go online at www.goshen.edu/admission/vis_openhouse.php.

27-29
Religion and Science Conference, Church-Chapel Fellowship Hall
At the ninth annual Goshen College Religion and Science Conference Noreen Herzfeld, professor of theology and computer science at St. John's University in Minnesota, will address the "Limits of Perfection."
There are two free public lectures in the Church-Chapel: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27 and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 28.
For more information about costs or to register for the conference, contact Marilyn Bayak at (574) 535-7305 or e-mail marilynlb@goshen.edu.

27
8 p.m., Spring Mainstage Operetta: "The Gondoliers" by Gilbert & Sullivan, Umble Center
The Goshen College theater and music departments will perform this comic operetta, with Doug Liechty Caskey directing and Debra Brubaker as the music director. "The Gondoliers" offers a comic portrayal of romance and politics intermingling the working class of 1950s Venice and the nobility of far off Spain.
Cost: $12 general, $8 for students and seniors.

28
8 p.m., Spring Mainstage Operetta: "The Gondoliers" by Gilbert & Sullivan, Umble Center
The Goshen College theater and music departments will perform this comic operetta, with Doug Liechty Caskey directing and Debra Brubaker as the music director. "The Gondoliers" offers a comic portrayal of romance and politics intermingling the working class of 1950s Venice and the nobility of far off Spain.
Cost: $12 general, $8 for students and seniors.

29
2-4 p.m., Opening reception: "Full Circle: Old and New Quilts and Quilters," Good Library Gallery
Mennonite and Amish quilts from the collection of Rebecca Haarer set a historical context for the original designs of master quilters Edith Shanholt, lifelong resident of Elkhart and LaGrange counties, and Claire Baker, native of California. The exhibit demonstrates continuity in the local tradition as well as influences to and from quilters who come from around the world to quilt circle gatherings in north central Indiana. Sponsored by the Mennonite-Amish Museum Committee. The exhibit is up through Aug. 14, 2009.
During the academic school year, The Library Gallery, located on the lower level of the Harold and Wilma Good Library on the campus of Goshen College, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. For summer hours, call (574) 535-7427. July 13-Aug. 3, group tours only.

29
3 p.m., Spring Mainstage Operetta: "The Gondoliers" by Gilbert & Sullivan, Umble Center
The Goshen College theater and music departments will perform this comic operetta, with Doug Liechty Caskey directing and Debra Brubaker as the music director. "The Gondoliers" offers a comic portrayal of romance and politics intermingling the working class of 1950s Venice and the nobility of far off Spain.
Cost: $12 general, $8 for students and seniors.

30
9 a.m., Greener Congregations: Taking the First Step, Farmstead Site at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
This workshop is designed for pastors who take God's call to care for the earth seriously and would like to work at this in their congregations. Other church leaders or interested individuals who are free at this time are welcome as well. Luke Gascho, Merry Lea's executive director and author of "Creation Care: Keepers of the Earth," will lead this seminar. Cost: $10 per person. Contact Jennifer H. Schrock, phone (260) 799-5869 or e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu.

Goshen College's Administration Building, Church-Chapel, Good Library, Music Center, Newcomer Center, Union Gymnasium 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.php. For ticket information, contact the Welcome Center, at (574) 535-7566, or e-mail welcomecenter@goshen.edu.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.