The King's Connection Magazine Volume 23 Number 1//Summer 2012 | Page 20

CAMPUS NEWS

Students explore economics
and Christianity

B

lack Friday, Occupy Wall Street, economic instability –
these topics are front and centre in public discourse – and
front and centre at the King’s University College’s semi-annual
Interdisciplinary Studies conference. Held January 18 &
19, this semester’s theme, You’re Richer WHEN You Think:
Economics and Christian Desire, challenged students to grasp
the connection between faith and the economy. Students were
also challenged to make choices a voice that reflects Christian
value. In addition to stellar lectures by William Cavanaugh and
Scott Bader-Saye (making his second appearance in two years)
students also explored a range of topics covering fair trade,
personal budgeting, land use, living simply and much more.
They were also treated to a wonderful market in the main hallway
featuring local vendors selling fresh food, preserves and other
homemade, organic and fair trade goods.
“I was really pleased with our speakers,” says Roy Berkenbosch,
director of the Micah Centre and Interdisciplinary Studies. “Once
again they were wise, eloquent and provocative. And I do want
the conference to be provocative. I want speakers to inspire
students to become advocates for justice and change. We
aren’t here simply to train people for jobs. We want students to
think of themselves as called to be agents of reconciliation and
healing in the world,”

The conference also included a screening of Inside Job, a
documentary about the economic crisis of 2008.
The IS conference is King’s unique, semi-annual, all-campus
event. Each semester, the conference is intended to help
students think of bigger-picture ideas in the midst of our studies
and work. The conferences bring faculty and students together
around common topics of relevance to scholarship and public
life. Previous IS Conference topics have included Canada’s Truth
and Reconciliation Commission dealing with residential schools,
global food issues, just peacemaking, the Alberta oil sands,
worship and justice. Speakers have included Merold Westphal,
Chief Bobby Joseph, Senator Douglas Roche, South African
playwright Peter Krummeck, eco-theologian Steven BoumaPrediger, journalists Scott Turner and Andrew Nikiforuk as well as
historian Lauren Winner.
Regular classes are suspended in favour of presentations by
special guests, workshops, films, concerts, break-out sessions
and more. All this is intended to encourage an exploration of a
particular topic from multiple perspectives. Some topics are so
important and have so many interesting angles of discovery, that
they are best approached in a conference setting.

King’s community gives big
to the United W
ay
In 2011, King’s raised $17,832 for the United Way, surpassing
our goal of $12,000 by nearly $6,000. This is an institutional
record beating the $14,809 raised in 2010.
Over 87 per cent of the $17,832 was raised through voluntary
employee contributions, either by a one-time donation or by
monthly payroll deductions. The remainder was raised during a
silent auction.

20 ///The King’s Connection /// Summer 2012

United Way’s focus is to motivate the community to embrace
those who are in need of improved social conditions. King’s
support of the United Way aligns with “our calling to contribute
to the public good”, as stated in our Mission, Values and Vision.
King’s annual United Way campaign has raised approximately
$125,000 over the years.