Convocation prayer contradicts Droge’s speech
Originally published in the Park University Stylus, Sept. 2012.
By Andi Enns
Editor
The Convocation last week opened with a prayer. It struck me as completely inappropriate.
I understand our heritage as a college began with a Presbyterian minister named John McAfee, and his religious friend Col. George S. Park. They provided a classical Christian education, meaning theology and faith were part of everyday life at Park College. In fact, the entire idea of our school was a religious mission: provide education to any person - any race, any gender - who was willing to work for it. It’s a beautiful heritage.
But today - Park University in 2012 - is not a religious institution.
For many decades, we were affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. In fact, the Presbyterian chapel in downtown Parkville was once owned by the college. But we have parted ways, we don’t own the church in downtown Parkville, and we don’t receive funds from religious organizations. Over the summer, Park was even recognized as being a great value college in the category of non-religious private institutions.
So why do we still pray as Christians at official ceremonies?
Just on the Parkville campus alone, we have well over a thousand students. I personally know Park students who are: Christian (all varieties), Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jainist, atheist or agnostic, pagan, Wiccan, and simply “spiritual.” There are probably more religions represented still.
We have such a diversity in our university, but only one faith represented at the official ceremony to begin the year, a ceremony which all first year students are required to attend. Forcing a student (or staff member or faculty member) to observe a religious ritual -- not just watch, but be told to participate in -- at Convocation violates everything Park University stands for. President Michael Droge spoke about Park as a place of inclusion and diversity, and yet the very ceremony in which he spoke put those principles on the back burner in favor of blessing the athletic fields and classrooms.
And, to be clear, I have nothing against Christianity. Heck, before I transferred to Park, I attended a Bible college! And I would feel the same way if Convocation opened with a Buddhist incantation, a Hindu meditation, or any other religion’s ritual.
I would not be opposed to a moment of silence and reflection, in which the community is encouraged to envision a great year for our university in whatever way they feel comfortable. It’s hard to be exclusive with a collective silence.
The minister at Convocation mentioned our alma mater motto, “Fides et Labor” -- literally, Faith and Work. It goes back to McAfee’s time, and the fact it still exists causes some to believe we’re still a college of faith.
And I would argue we are a college of faith -- just not religious faith. We are a university with faith in ourselves. Faith in the idea we can change the world. Faith that we -- together -- make up a force much larger and stronger than we could ever be alone. Faith that our Park community will take care of each other, even when it’s hard to do. Faith that we can make a difference.
I have faith in that vision of Park University. I can’t deny the feeling that I’m walking in hallowed halls and whenever I step onto campus, my heart races like I’m in love. Maybe it’s a spiritual experience.
But it certainly doesn’t come from a prayer forced upon students at Convocation.
By Andi Enns
Editor
The Convocation last week opened with a prayer. It struck me as completely inappropriate.
I understand our heritage as a college began with a Presbyterian minister named John McAfee, and his religious friend Col. George S. Park. They provided a classical Christian education, meaning theology and faith were part of everyday life at Park College. In fact, the entire idea of our school was a religious mission: provide education to any person - any race, any gender - who was willing to work for it. It’s a beautiful heritage.
But today - Park University in 2012 - is not a religious institution.
For many decades, we were affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. In fact, the Presbyterian chapel in downtown Parkville was once owned by the college. But we have parted ways, we don’t own the church in downtown Parkville, and we don’t receive funds from religious organizations. Over the summer, Park was even recognized as being a great value college in the category of non-religious private institutions.
So why do we still pray as Christians at official ceremonies?
Just on the Parkville campus alone, we have well over a thousand students. I personally know Park students who are: Christian (all varieties), Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Jainist, atheist or agnostic, pagan, Wiccan, and simply “spiritual.” There are probably more religions represented still.
We have such a diversity in our university, but only one faith represented at the official ceremony to begin the year, a ceremony which all first year students are required to attend. Forcing a student (or staff member or faculty member) to observe a religious ritual -- not just watch, but be told to participate in -- at Convocation violates everything Park University stands for. President Michael Droge spoke about Park as a place of inclusion and diversity, and yet the very ceremony in which he spoke put those principles on the back burner in favor of blessing the athletic fields and classrooms.
And, to be clear, I have nothing against Christianity. Heck, before I transferred to Park, I attended a Bible college! And I would feel the same way if Convocation opened with a Buddhist incantation, a Hindu meditation, or any other religion’s ritual.
I would not be opposed to a moment of silence and reflection, in which the community is encouraged to envision a great year for our university in whatever way they feel comfortable. It’s hard to be exclusive with a collective silence.
The minister at Convocation mentioned our alma mater motto, “Fides et Labor” -- literally, Faith and Work. It goes back to McAfee’s time, and the fact it still exists causes some to believe we’re still a college of faith.
And I would argue we are a college of faith -- just not religious faith. We are a university with faith in ourselves. Faith in the idea we can change the world. Faith that we -- together -- make up a force much larger and stronger than we could ever be alone. Faith that our Park community will take care of each other, even when it’s hard to do. Faith that we can make a difference.
I have faith in that vision of Park University. I can’t deny the feeling that I’m walking in hallowed halls and whenever I step onto campus, my heart races like I’m in love. Maybe it’s a spiritual experience.
But it certainly doesn’t come from a prayer forced upon students at Convocation.