2024 Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium Day
Childhood development and education face critical challenges, but solutions exist that can significantly impact children's lives. This symposium will explore child development with the larger context of civic engagement, aiming to provide participants with actionable insights. The event will highlight national research and expert perspectives, while emphasizing a strong regional focus. It will serve as a catalyst for engaging dialogues among key figures in K-12 education, nonprofit organizations, business, healthcare, and civic life.
Symposium Planning Committee Co-Chairs: Dr. Michael J. Chan, vice president for mission and inclusion, and Dr. Darrell Stolle, professor of education
Keynote Speaker: Anya Kamenetz
Journalist and author Anya Kamenetz is a futurist with a passion for the complexities of how we learn, work, and live in a rapidly changing world.
Kamenetz was a longtime, award-winning correspondent at NPR coordinating education coverage online and on air. Previously she covered technology, innovation, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship as a staff writer for Fast Company magazine. Her reporting on technology, the cost of higher education, career development, the future of work, post-pandemic life, and many other topics has appeared in a wide range of publications.
Kamenetz’s most recent book is “The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children’s Lives, and Where We Go Now.” She is a three-time winner of national awards from the Education Writers Association, and her digital education coverage at NPR won a 2017 Edward R. Murrow award for Innovation from the Radio Television Digital News Association. For a full biography and information on Kamenetz’s four previous books, visit her website.
SCHEDULE
| 8:30 a.m. | Faculty and Staff Development Session — Centrum, Knutson Campus Center Speaker: Anya Kamenetz, journalist and author |
| 8:45 a.m. | Student Session for all FYS 110 Students — Memorial Auditorium |
| 10 a.m. | Refreshments — Memorial Auditorium |
| 10:30 a.m. | Opening Plenary Session “The Stolen Year” — Memorial Auditorium Welcome — President Colin Irvine Opening Remarks — Dr. Michael Chan, Symposium co-chair and vice president for mission and inclusion Moderator — Candace Harmon, director of communications and media relations Speaker — Anya Kamenetz, journalist and author of “The Stolen Year: How COVID Changed Children’s Lives, and Where We Go Now” Host Organization — Student Nurse Association |
| Noon-4 p.m. | Tables in the Atrium — Knutson Campus Center |
| 1-1:45 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions 1 — various locations |
| 2-2:45 p.m. | Concurrent Sessions 2 — various locations |
| 3 p.m. | Plenary Session — Panel Discussion — Memorial Auditorium “Engaged Leadership: The Joys and Challenges of Leadership in Youth-Serving Organizations” Moderators — Dr. Darrell Stolle, professor of education and Symposium co-chair; and Heather Simonich, director of Concordia’s Center for Holistic Health Panelists — Mary Jean Dehne, Ed.D., executive director of Legacy Children’s Foundation; Jennifer Soupir-Fremstad, assistant director of human capital, Fargo Public Schools; Andrea Richards, director of behavioral health and wellness, West Fargo Public Schools; Chris Tiongson, M.D., Pediatrics/Sanford Children’s, Fargo, and chair/clinical professor, Residency Program director at University of North Dakota Pediatrics; and J’Neil Gibson, founder of Beyond the Game and co-director of Umoja Inc. |