Institute for Leadership and Service Announces Fall 2020 Speaker Series

Valparaiso University’s Institute for Leadership and Service announces its fall 2020 Pathways to Purpose speaker series, featuring speakers and topics that inspire growth and learning.

The speaker series welcomes exemplary practitioners of leadership and service who respond to current challenges and help to expand student imagination about pursuing purposeful work.

Speakers include:

Kristin Kobes Du Mez: “Jesus and John Wayne,” Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m., virtual event on Zoom. A writer and professor of history and gender studies at Calvin University, Kristen Kobes Du Mez, Ph.D., will be talking about her latest book, which is focused on themes of American evangelical beliefs through the lens of gender and culture. She will be encouraging attendees to think deeply about their connection with masculinity and nationalism.

Francis Su: “Lessons From Prison: Human Flourishing, Virtue, and the Value of a Liberal Arts Education,” Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., virtual event on Zoom. Francis Su, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, a former president of the Mathematical Association of American and a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. He will be discussing his book, Mathematics for Human Flourishing, which grapples with the importance and beauty of mathematics, encouraging attendees to engage with mathematics and see how it is entangled in all of our lives.

Amanda Zelechoski: “Learning Through the Pandemic: Challenge, Opportunity, and Grace,” Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m., virtual event on Zoom. Amanda Zelechoski, J.D., Ph.D., ABPP, is a licensed attorney and clinical psychologist specializing in the areas of trauma and forensic psychology who joined the Valparaiso University faculty in 2011. She is board certified in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and has worked clinically with adults, children and families in inpatient, outpatient and forensic settings. She will discuss the concept of trauma-informed teaching and learning in the midst of a global crisis and how her own journey as a psychologist and parent during the pandemic inspired her to help other parents with similar struggles.

All events are free, virtual and open to the public.