Students take lead in organising academic conference

Brenton Stacey/Sonja Larsen
Public relations officer/Public relations assistant
Avondale College of Higher Education
Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

Undergraduate students at Avondale College of Higher Education have for the first time organised their own academic conference.

Critical Issues in the 21st Century, November 11, featured the presentation of 20-minute papers from 15 students. Topics ranged from the impact of values education in Seventh-day Adventist schools to the ecology of sandy shores and Christianity, vampirism and mission.

Students presented papers under three themes: education; philosophy, literature and society; and religion and spirituality.

Education

Brooke Tually (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) used a Year 8 art exercise she introduced as a practice teacher to remind us of the difference between looking and seeing. “Seeing is a discipline,” she said. “It’s discernment.”

Conference committee chair Hannah Bennett (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Honours)) based her paper on a study of the impact of her creative writing program on two underachieving gifted students. The students, whose self-esteem improved during the program, used forms of blogging to express their ideas. “One went from wanting to be a pizza chef to wanting to be a writer.”

While Hayley Blagden (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) noted the life of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, as representing values such as equality, freedom, and self-determination, she also described him as a “man of contradictions” who, despite ending slavery, did less for slaves than they did for themselves. Do we take iconic figures out of context and make them into something they are not? she asked.

Philosophy, literature and society

Secretary Jotham Kingston (Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary)) argued in “The kung-fu of conversation” speech whose aim is “not to cut down but cut free” is a superior martial art than physical combat.

Vice-chair Stephen Kilgour (Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching) used the example of three ancient civilisations to show the socio impact of climate change. In the first, he noted how the linking of rain to religion by citizens of the pre-Aztec Mexican city of Teotihuacan led during drought to political and social instability. In the second, he noted how despite sophisticated hydrological engineering a series of droughts in Venezuela caused the decline of the Mayan civilisation. In the third, he noted how rigid adherence to the laws and customs of their warmer homeland forced the Norse out of Greenland.

Religion and spirituality

Committee member Bethany Turner (Bachelor of Ministry and Theology (Honours)) examined the function of praise in the biblical book of Revelation. She even added a function—that of reassurance—to the three most commonly identified by other scholars. “The heavenly anthems that resound through its pages . . . tell us God deserves our worship . . . [and call us] to remember God is and always will be Ruler of all.”

Daniel Matteo (Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry) identified similarities in the theology and practice of neo-pagans and Adventists. These included: adherence to a vegetarian diet; appreciation of corporate spirituality; belief in the ethic of responsibility; emphasis of the male and female characteristics of a deity; and an understanding of sexuality as sacred not sinful. The first step in communicating effectively with neo-pagans: “establish yourself as a credible spiritual seeker,” said Daniel. The subsequent steps: listen; understand; acknowledge their beliefs; examine your beliefs using a neo-pagan worldview; then non-combatively share the answers.

Remembrance Day

Delegates paused for Remembrance Day. “How do we as Christians respond to war?” asked Associate Professor Daniel Reynaud, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Theology. He spoke of his struggle with the worship associated with remembrance days. “Worship is unqualified,” he said, “but I can’t give war unqualified praise.” Daniel said he is more comfortable honouring those who fought under duress and respecting their commitment to fight for values. However, he reminded delegates of the message of Christianity: “I’m prepared to die but never to kill for what I believe.”

After the reading of the “Ode of Remembrance,” Jesse Dwyer (Bachelor of Business) played the last post.

Soapbox session

Organisers received only one response to the soapbox session, where students submit a written answer to the question, “What is the solution to Avondale’s biggest problem?” That student, international development studies major Ben Keri, argued by reducing energy consumption, Avondale could lower fees and attract more students.

Other students then joined the session. Ben Turner (Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry) suggested Avondale employ more theology students to develop more spirituality on campus. Stephen noted a perceived lack of connectedness between staff members and students, suggesting Avondale create more opportunities for the two groups to relate on an equal basis. Hannah, who identified herself as a non-Adventist Christian, spoke of feeling excluded in some classes. Her solution to this problem: teach about other denominations.

Two staff members also spoke. Bev Christian, a lecturer in the School of Education, noted the lack of vibrancy in Forum. She suggested bringing back its spiritual emphasis, making it inclusive of all faiths and using it to communicate Avondale’s values. A lack of purpose “that defines our very sense of being” concerned Brad Watson, a lecturer in international poverty and development studies.

Benefits

At the close of the conference, vice-president (learning and teaching) Dr Jane Fernandez-Goldborough thanked the students on the conference’s committee. “You were leaders today.” Vice-president (administration and research) Dr Vivienne Watts encourages them and the others who presented papers to “think big.” “I hope [this conference] will serve as a catalyst for future actions you might consider taking to address the critical issues you have identified.”

The Undergraduate Conference, now in its second year, “is a sign of Avondale’s increasing maturity,” says president Dr Ray Roennfeldt. He notes Avondale’s vision to become a Christian private university and its mission to foster a Christian learning community founded on quality research-based higher education. “This conference is a symbol . . . all of us . . . are buying into that vision.”