Closing Matters: Making Space for Endings
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Feature by: Mary Raschko, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
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At the beginning of May, we are in the end-stages of our academic year: the last of our course prep and class sessions, the last big assignments, the arrival of final exams. We are trying to finish all the things and likely looking forward to the different rhythms of summer. In that forward-looking state, I want to encourage taking time to reflect on what our teaching and study have accomplished, to make space for a purposeful ending.
In “The Art of Gathering,” Priya Parker describes effective endings as helping people do two things—look inward and turn outward. By looking inward she means opening up space “to understand, remember, acknowledge, and reflect on what just transpired.” With turning outward, she encourages us to consider “what of this world do I want to bring back to my other worlds?”
In this video, I offer ideas for how to end our classes (or other communal activities) in ways that help students integrate their learning, connect academics with life beyond the classroom, and strengthen community.
Whether you’re able to devote a substantial amount of class time to a course’s ending, or just a few well-planned minutes, I hope the video (or even just these slides) help you and your students think through what they’ve experienced and why it matters.
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Faculty/Staff Duo Presents at Bowdoin College
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Earlier this week, Helen Kim, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Noah Leavitt, Co-Director for the Career and Community Engagement Center for External Affairs and College Liaison for Community Affairs, presented a “Talk on Asian-Jewish Intermarriage” at Bowdoin College. Kim and Leavitt discussed the research they conducted for their 2016 book, “JewAsian: Race, Religion, and Identity for America’s Newest Jews.”
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Community Engagement Volunteer Celebration Tonight
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The Community Engagement team will host an End of Year Volunteer Celebration on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom. (FYI, the form may list a different venue.) Volunteers will enjoy free ice cream from Bon Appétit and other treats from the Community Engagement leadership team. Please RSVP or show up at the door.
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Dialogue & Dignity Series Tonight
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The Dialogue & Dignity Series continues this week with Sa’ed Atshan, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies and Anthropology and Chair of the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at Swarthmore College. Atshan will present a public talk on Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in Olin Auditorium titled “On Faith, Peace, and Justice: Reflections from a Queer Palestinian Quaker.” (Flyer attached.)
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One Act Play Festival Begins Tonight
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The annual One Act Play Festival consists of plays that are entirely produced by student actors, designers, directors, stage management and technicians. This semester, performances will take place May 2–5. Tickets—free for Whitman students—are available through the Harper Joy Theatre box office. (Flyer attached.)
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Human-Centered Design Open House Tomorrow
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The Human-Centered Design (HCD) concentration will hold a Showcase & Charcuterie open house event on Friday, May 3 from 4–5 p.m. in the Technology Services building. Enjoy some refreshments and provide feedback on classroom prototypes and branding ideas created by HCD students. (Flyer attached.)
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The junior-senior residential housing project will require infrastructure upgrades along Boyer Avenue. Please be advised that Boyer Avenue will be closed from Palouse Street to Touchet Street, from Monday, May 6 through the first week in June. Pedestrian traffic will remain accessible on the north side of Boyer Avenue in both directions, and a mid-street crossing will be available to access the Glover Alston Center and Boyer House. Vehicles will be detoured around the closure (indicated in green).
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Hall of Science, Second Floor Atrium
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The Outhouse (Interest House)
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Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
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Hall of Music, Chism Recital Hall
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Harper Joy Theatre, Freimann Studio Theatre
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Would you like to share an event with campus? Submit the information to the Events Calendar.
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