“Laughter and tears, memories and renewed friendships, that’s what the weekend was all about,” says Jerry Herbert, program director. “We wanted the 30th Anniversary weekend to be an encouragement for those who came, and it certainly was. I spoke with an alumnus in business who was struggling to see how her work advanced the kingdom. At the close of the weekend she was reminded how her efforts, though seemingly small, could edge her company toward more stewardly practices respectful of the creation. She was beginning to see how her passions (although not directly connected to her job duties) might well be woven together in the future with the skills she was acquiring at work. She was so encouraged that she could still make a faithful difference. That certainly excited me. And this is just one example of the way friends encouraged friends throughout the weekend. It was a fabulous time of remembrance and renewal.”
Special speakers for the gathering included: Herbert; John Bernbaum, creator of ASP and first director; Amy Sherman (ASP alumna spring ’86), author and director, Center on Faith in Communities, Charlottesville, Va.; and Steve Garber, director of Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation & Culture and former ASP faculty. Former CCCU president Myron Augsburger capped the weekend by leading Sunday morning worship; communion was led by ASP alumna Rev. Dana Preusch (fall ‘86).
“ASP staff designed the weekend to be a time for connections, but also a time of worship,” says Amber Palmer, marketing manager for BestSemester programs and ASP alumna (spring ’97). “They really felt that if they created the right environment, God would show up. And I think their plan worked. It was much more worship-minded than a typical reunion. The ‘feel’ of the weekend was one of connections – not just with each other, but also with God.”
Three alumni-led panel discussions on Saturday focused on education in the U.S.; international human rights; and calling and career. Alumni enjoyed class reunion lunches as well as a Reunion Dinner Banquet Saturday night, during which photos and a video were shown to celebrate 30 years of American Studies Program experiences. Attendees took advantage of many opportunities for reflection upon what they learned during their own semesters.
“I’m coming to a much fuller understanding of justice, vocation and shalom,” says ASP alumna Becca Wedel (fall ’03). “I’m learning that shalom can happen in Kansas at a job you work for the paycheck. I’m beginning to learn the difference between hope and optimism and I’m beginning to walk in a faith that I never thought possible… I hope that my life will be richly woven with the fabric of faithfulness and that I will always choose justice, shalom and the Kingdom, even if it means getting my hands dirty.”
“I had learned that part of wisdom is to know when to stick to your convictions and when it is necessary to compromise. I’m just glad that I had the ASP experience to help me with this learning at a young age,” says Wally Culp (fall ’81), graduate of Oral Roberts University (OK). Culp’s practice, the Law Offices of Wallace Culp, is located in Greenville, S.C.
The American Studies Program is one of 12 semester- or summer-long student programs offered by the CCCU and is categorized as a culture-shaping program, along with the Contemporary Music Center (Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.); Los Angeles Film Studies Center (L.A., Calif.); and Washington Journalism Center (Washington, D.C.), which is scheduled to launch in Fall 2006. Included in the culture-crossing programs are: Australia Studies Centre; China Studies Program; Latin American Studies Program; Middle East Studies Program; Programmes in Oxford; Russian Studies Program; and Uganda Studies Program. All programs undergo regular site visit evaluations by the Student Academic Programs Commission (SAPC).
