President James Brenneman and family describe journey to Goshen College in Sept. 11 Afternoon Sabbatical, first program of year

Event: Afternoon Sabbatical – “A Journey of Wonder” by President James Brenneman and Terri Plank Brenneman
Date and time: Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.
Location: Sauder Concert Hall, Goshen College Music Center
Cost: Free and open to the public
For more information: Call College Relations at (574) 535-7565 or e-mail edutravel@goshen.edu

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College President James Brenneman and spouse Dr. Terri Plank Brenneman, will describe the events in their lives that brought them to Goshen as part of the 2007-08 Goshen College Afternoon Sabbatical Series premier event on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. in the Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall. Brenneman became the college’s 16th president in July 2006 after having lived in Pasadena, Calif., for 26 years and worked as a Mennonite pastor and Old Testament scholar.

The Brennemans have titled their presentation, “A Journey of Wonder.” They will share stories, pictures and music depicting their path from childhood to becoming Goshen College’s president and spouse.

Both Jim and Terri are 1977 Goshen College graduates. Terri is a clinical psychologist who has served as an adjunct professor in pastoral care and theological counseling at both Fuller Theological Seminary and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. She grew up near Fort Wayne, Ind.

Other programs in 2007-2008 Afternoon Sabbatical Series include:

Sept. 14-16 – Stratford Theater Festival Bus Trip. Travel by coach for three wonderful days of theater, lodging in Queen’s Inn, sightseeing, shopping and gourmet food at the famous Church Restaurant. Two plays are included with an optional third show. Chair of Theater Doug Caskey will be the presenter and Chair of Afternoon Sabbatical Mary Ann Roth and Coordinator of Adult Educational Travel Janette Yoder will host the event. Cost: $565.

Oct. 9 – The Magic of Joy with Jep Hostetler, a professor emeritus at the Ohio State University College of Medicine, a 1962 Goshen College graduate, author and lecturer who has inspired audiences around the world. He will use storytelling, humor and magic to invite listeners to find more joy in life and explore ways to share joy with others. 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall, Music Center.

Nov. 13 – More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Indiana Women with Anita Stalter, academic dean, and Rachel Lapp, assistant professor of communication. This mother-daughter team shares the challenges and joys of working together to research and write a book giving voice to 10 remarkable Indiana women who made significant and interesting contributions to Hoosier history. 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall, Music Center.

Date TBA in December – Tis the Season to be Jazzy with Lavender Jazz and GC Flute Choir. A festive concert of Christmas music and more by Goshen College’s big band, Lavender Jazz, directed by Sonny Carreño, and joined by the newly-formed Goshen College Flute Choir, directed by Rebecca Hovan. 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall, Music Center.

Feb. 12 – “Boundaries and Bridges: Do Denominations Have a Future?” with John D. Roth, professor of history. Although a high percentage of Americans continue to believe in God and attend church regularly, religious sociologists have been tracking a steady decline in denominational loyalty. Join Roth for an interesting conversation about religious identity, ecumenism and the future of denominations. 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall, Music Center.

March 1 – Chicago bus trip to “Jersey Boys.” This Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2006 chronicles the rise of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as four blue-collar kids work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom with such hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You.” Cost: $135 (covers ticket, bus trip and box supper)

March 11 – Men Making Music with the Goshen College Men’s Chorus. The Goshen College Men’s Chorus has pleased audiences across the United States and this year’s chorus will be no exception as it rolls out its new repertoire. Join the group for their spring version of Men Making Music. 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall, Music Center.

April 15 – Cambodia: Ancient Wonders and Cultural Recovery with Keith and Ann Graber Miller. Following a traditional Cambodian meal, Keith hopes to take the audience on a fascinating journey to Cambodia bringing alive the country’s centuries-old history, the marvels of the Angkor Wat temples, the trauma of the Khmer Rouge period and the slow but steady recovery of a post-war culture. Keith and Ann led the first Cambodia SST unit in 2007. Keith is professor and chair of the Bible, Religion and Philosophy Department, and Ann is a self-employed design consultant specializing in architectural and interior design. The luncheon will take place at noon in the College Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Cost: TBA

May 20 – Spring Bus Trip. The spring bus tour will include a tour of Notre Dame campus, including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Snite Museum; the Copshaholm Home, a 38-room mansion built by the Oliver family, the 1930’s Worker’s Home and Oliver Gardens; and the Studebaker National Museum. Lunch is at Tippecanoe Place, built by the Studebaker family. Cost: TBA

Goshen College is celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Afternoon Sabbatical. A committee of area representatives and college personnel consider the knowledge and talent at Goshen College and among Elkhart County citizens and aim to select programs that will appeal to a wide variety of interests. The program began and continues from the idea that people can use a sabbatical from their daily lives to refresh their minds and spirits.

For more information on the Afternoon Sabbatical series or to register for an event, call the Goshen College Relations Office at (574) 535-7565 or e-mail edutravel@goshen.edu.

– by Kelli Yoder

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.