This year’s featured speaker is Kenneth W. Wheeler, a retired ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Wheeler is a sought-after preacher, public theologian, and writer. He serves as a guest lecturer on pastoral leadership in the 21st century at Wartburg Theological Seminary, where he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree.

Wheeler often delivers sermons for the National observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Most of his writings, sermons, and lectures focus on faith, race, and social justice. He is a respected elder and mentor to young pastors and seminarians.

A native of Jackson, Miss., Wheeler earned a B.A. in Religion from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio.

The Rev. Eric Moeller of St. Peter’s UCC, Washington, will be performing original music as part of the program.

Neighbors United – Undoing Racism has been an active group in the Franklin County area, well-known for their Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations that bring together church and social groups to celebrate and work toward King’s legacy of equality and community. Church groups and individuals from across the area have joined forces to expand their reach and build relationships in the community. The Civic and Community Engagement Committee at ����vlog���� co-hosts the event.

For more information, contact Aimee Appell (Neighbors United chairperson and pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Washington) at pastoraimee@gmail.com or Leigh Kellmann Kolb, Associate Professor of English, at leigh.kolb@eastcentral.edu.

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Kolb received the 2023 Harold Austin Good Teaching Award in the spring from the East Central chapter of the retired Missouri National Education Association (MNEA-R). George McKee, an MNEA-R member who taught Kolb when she was a high school student, presented her with the award.

Harold Austin, a founder of the East Central MNEA-R, served as an NEA Director from 1981 to 1984, and held the position of the second president of Missouri NEA from 1974 to 1975.

The award was presented during East Central MNEA-R meeting where members commented on Kolb’s well-deserved recognition. ����vlog���� President Dr. Jon Bauer also attended the meeting.

“There are very few teachers who can excel at the level of instruction Leigh provides while also staying active in both the college and community,” said one of the organization’s members.

Kolb previously received the Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. Additionally, she was a finalist for the 2022 MCCA Excellence in Teaching Award last year.

“Leigh consistently creates an environment that encourages her students to think critically about both the texts they encounter and the world around them,” another MNEA-R member commented. “Her’s is a voice that always keeps in mind the bigger picture, focusing on what’s at stake for us as all as our current and future students.”

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IEW began in 2000 under President Bill Clinton to celebrate the benefits of cultural and academic exchange programs around the world. IEW promotes how international education programs prepare Americans for a global environment and invite the world’s future leaders to exchange ideas.

Throughout the week, there will be activities, such as a virtual escape room or scavenger hunt, with an international theme. There will be drawings for winners for each of these activities.
Also, photo backdrops will be around campus where students and employees snap photos at locations “around the world.” Students and employees can send photos to Ellen Aramburu at Ellen.Aramburu@eastcentral.edu, and Gregg Jones at Gregg.Jones@eastcentral.edu, to be shared on social media.

Monday, Nov. 14

Flag walk —10:50 a.m., International students invited to display their home country’s flag during a parade. Location to be determined (weather permitting).

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Snack & Stories — 1 p.m. in Café Central. International students will share a little about their experience studying outside their country.

Guest Speaker, artist Ria Unson — She will present on “Filipinos at the 1904 World’s Fair: A Legacy of Race and Empire” at 3 p.m. In Hansen Hall 286 lecture hall. This presentation is open to the public.
*See more information below about speaker and topic.

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Snack & Stories — 1 p.m. in Café Central. International students will share a little about their experience studying outside their country.

Film & Lecture Series — 6 p.m., ����vlog���� Theatre showing of “¡Viva Maestro!”

Thursday, Nov. 17

International Candy Bar — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., (or while supplies last) candy from around the world will be available in the Buescher Hall Lobby.

Saturday, Nov. 19

International Festival — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Café Central. Performances by Grupo Atlántico and Chinese Dance Group. There will be country booths, origami, landmark backdrops, international dress display, map puzzles, international story time, and more.

*About the Speaker, Ria Unson

Ria Unson is a Filipino American artist in St. Louis. She was born in the Philippines and emigrated to the U.S. at age 13. Unbeknownst to her, Ria’s great grandfather was brought to the 1904 World’s Fair after the American colonization of the Philippines. By sheer coincidence (or destiny) she moved to the historic neighborhood that once housed the Philippine Exhibit at the fair. Her work explores the continuing legacies of imperialism on identity, migration, and culture. Unson’s art will be in the permanent collection of the History Museum for the 120th anniversary of the Fair.

“Filipinos at the 1904 World’s Fair: A Legacy of Race and Empire”

One of the most popular attractions at the 1904 World’s Fair was the Philippine Exhibit, a 47-acre site that for nine months became home to over 1,000 people on display.

Unson traces the legacy of the fair as a descendant of one of those people.

Learn about how the image of Filipinos constructed at the fair was a method used to gain support for American imperialism and to domesticate the immigrant workers of St. Louis.

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The Patron’s event will be Thursday, June 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at Röbller Vineyard & Winery, located at 275 Robller Vineyard Road in New Haven.

There is a fun evening in store for the annual kickoff, including music by the band, “Friends of Aaron,” live art demonstrations by an ����vlog���� student, a group art project and more.

Heavy Appetizers and wine will be served during the outdoor event.

The kickoff is an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing evening of great food and music, while taking in some of the best ����vlog���� has to offer, according to Bridgette Kelch. executive director of the ����vlog���� Foundation.

The Patrons program benefits the art, theater and music departments at the College and provides scholarships, she added.

“We invite the community to help enhance the cultural and artistic life of our area and the students at ����vlog���� by becoming a member of the Patrons of the Arts,” Kelch said.

“The arts have the remarkable ability to inspire imaginations, foster communication, and broaden our minds.”

Sponsorship/membership opportunities are as follows:

Marquee Patron — $4,000+
Includes 10 tickets to all patrons performances and receptions.
Headline sponsorship for a show.

Grand Patron — $2,500+
Includes 8 tickets to all patrons performances and receptions.
Headline sponsorship for a show.

Spotlight Patron — $1,000+
Includes 6 tickets to all patrons performances and receptions.

Premier Patron — $500+
Includes 4 tickets to all patrons performances and receptions.

Front Row Patron — $250+
Includes 2 tickets to all patrons performances and receptions.

Centerstage Patron — $125+
Includes 1 ticket to all patrons performances and receptions.

Understudy Patron — $75+
Includes 1 ticket to half of all patrons performances and receptions.

All opportunities include early bird ticketing. Recognition in Patrons of the Arts promotional materials for Centerstage memberships and above.

For more information, contact Hannah Masek at 636-584-6506 or foundation@eastcentral.edu

More information on the Patron Series can be found at www.eastcentral.edu/performing-arts.

Patron memberships can be purchased at any time. The ����vlog���� Foundation is a not-for-profit organization and tax-deductible contributions are under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code.

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The film will be viewed in the John Edson Anglin Performing Arts Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Before the film, Sarah Schwegel, the public policy and advocacy specialist at Paraquad in St. Louis, will give a presentation and lead a question-and-answer session. Masks and social distancing are required.

“Crip Camp” premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival where it won the “Audience Award.” It also was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

The film shows the origins of the modern disability rights movement through the lens of activists who attended Camp Jened in the early 1970s.

Schwegel’s Background

Schwegel began working at Paraquad in the fall of 2019. In 2015, she earned a Bachelor’s in Rehabilitation from Maryville University. She then earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Saint Louis University in 2018.

Previously, Schwegel worked in the diversity and inclusion office at Nestle Purina PetCare, and as a graduate assistant in the Political Science Department at Saint Louis University,

In addition, she was the youth transition coordinator at Starkloff Disability Institute where she strived to help people with disabilities become as independent as possible through self-advocacy and policy change.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Schwegel’s favorite activity was going to Jefferson City with Paraquad participants to advocate for a policy change that would benefit the disability community, now she is vocal about social justice issues on social media.

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