The Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement is bringing to the Mary Baldwin campus several speakers who will highlight topics from Mexico, China, India, and Kyrgyzstan.
“Enhancing global understanding and responsibility allows our students to graduate with an ability to address the most pressing problems of the day skillfully and energetically,” said Steve Grande, executive director of the Spencer Center at Mary Baldwin. “These guests represent our profound commitment to integrating global perspectives into the curriculum. They are each enthusiastic about sharing her or his unique gifts and experience with Mary Baldwin as well as interacting with our students.”
The center will first host “eco-preneur” Santiago Lobeira at an International Café at noon October 29. Lobeira is co-founder of Sustenta Soluciones, a “green” marketing and communication company based in Mexico.
On November 9, Mary Baldwin will welcome back to campus director Arnd Wachter for a screening of his new film, The Dialogue, about four American students and four Chinese students who travel through China. The film raises important questions about cross-cultural communication, bridging international differences, stereotypes about Asia, and more. The film begins at 6:30 p.m. in Miller Chapel, with a discussion to follow.
Shagufa Kapadia, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and director of the Women’s Studies Research Center at the M.S. University of Baroda in India, will deliver a public lecture at 6:30 p.m. November 13 in the Spencer Center, “Marriage Delimmas of Urban Emergent Adult Women in the Contemporary Indian Context.”
A regional recruiter for the Peace Corps who served in Kyrgyzstan, Keely Riggins Hayes is the guest speaker for the Community Service Speaker Series at 1 p.m. November 19 in Miller Chapel.
Front-page image of Santiago Lobeira (on the left) with Bruce Rinker, friend and Executive Director of the Valley Conservation Council (courtesy of The Roanoke Star).