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Show U) r 7 iant:i.i!ivV)itni f?- - ife.jft. i:Sp6 ianK)ijfraa0ni3'3iM5Ep " Tuesday September 12, 2000 Westminster College of Salt Lake City Volume XXXIII Issue Bor By Rachel Carson Forum Staff Writer With free lunch and a break from classes as incentive, students were eager, or at least willing, to attend Convocation Westminsters traditional kick-o- ff of the new academic year. The event seemed distinctly lighthearted this year, with the second consecutive appearance of Dr. R. Douglas Brackenridge as keynote speaker. President Peggy Stock began the event by intro ducing what she wanted to see as the Westminster Creed for the coming year: I will not be bored, I will not be boring. Stock told students to make their goal this year to be engaged with life. She told how she once thought life would begin as soon as she overcame the current obstacle in her life; then the next and the next. When she figured out that obstacles are life, she was able to enjoy life in the here and now. Addressing the same theme, ASWC President Rich Nelson encouraged 1 H33 fellow students not to defer dreams, but to remember, according to Ferris Bueller, that Life moves pretty fast. If you dont stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it. Brackenridge revisited Westminsters history, when 13th East was a dirt road and dorm students were required to enhance their college experience by doing janitorial work. Keeping in tune with the carpe diem theme, Brackenridge told students to take time to enjoy the learning process. ' Remember that education is not something that is measured by enduring a certain amount of time, like a prison sentence. It is a lifelong process of inquiry. The aim is not the diploma or degree. Those are simply markers on a longer journey. Next, See Convocation Page 8 Distinguished Professor Speaks in Shaw By Amanda Shiner Forum Staff Writer Above Photo: Dr. J.D. Williams speaks to dents gathered in the Syme Lounge. stu- Visiting Distinguished Professor, Dr. J.D. Williams captured the hearts of Westminster students and staff on August 31 at 7:00p.m. in Syme Lounge. From the moment he spoke until the moment he took his leave, he engaged his audience with his humor, passion and intellect. I want the college to get involved, Williams said. I want every Westminster graduate to be a politician. Williams said he was very excited to be back on campus to finish the speech he started 43 years ago. He gave his other speech in Payne Gymnasium on May 1, 1957. His August 31st speech covered four main elements: turn-ofin politics, turnons in politics, a roadmap and a fs challenge. After speaking of poor voter turnout, money buying out democracy and turning it into plutocracy, the downfalls of certain politicians and concerns of the upcoming election, Williams pushed two main issues. The first issue was getting involved in politics and the second issue con- cerned voting. Williams asks for student involvement in politics if for no other reason than for the 90,000 poor children in Utah. He also asks his fellow citizens to take a stand on the English-onl- y proposal and on the damage and destruction some US corporations are creating in third world countries. He urges students to become registered voters, volunteer in campaigns, show a super final act of faith by voting on November 7, 2000 and then lobbying the daylights out of chosen politicians when they take office. Throughout his speech Williams rallied for action. The professor quoted and gave examples from many of his heroes including Thomas Jefferson and Harry S. Truman. He brought up the pros and cons of past and upcoming political events, proposals and campaigns. He spoke openly and honestly including his biases here and there. With the help of newly formed political science major, David Matthews, Williams summed up the evening and the heart of his speech by saying, Politics is the proper channel to create change in a See Williams, page 4 |