Baltimore Urban Studies Symposium Recap
This fall, Living & Learning International’s Baltimore Urban Studies (BUS) program hosted two symposiums, one in Baltimore City at the BUS campus and one at Wheaton College.
Initially, Living & Learning planned on hosting only one symposium in November at the BUS campus, however, once partner university Wheaton College heard of the plans, they requested that we along with their Department of Christian Formation and Ministry put together a three-day Faith in Action Holistic Health symposium. It was a blessing and honor to be asked and our time was impactful to both students, staff, and faculty alike.
Baltimore Urban Studies Symposium–We Rise Together Towards Wholistic Health: Learn from the Intersections of Public Health, Reconciliation, and Spiritual Transformation.
On September 14th through 16th, the BUS program partnered with Helping Up Mission (founded in 1885) and the St. Frances Academy (founded in 1828) to bring together faculty, students, and communities from: Morgan State University, Johns Hopkins University, Elizabethtown College, Loyola University of Maryland, and Messiah University.
Everyone enjoyed the multi-day event and got to experience the planned schedule listed below.
Friday
Welcome by BUS & St. Frances Academy Staff
Keynote #3 Dr. Lucine Francis, PhD, RN (Professor of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University) – Importance of Nutrition Equity in Wholistic Health.
Small Group Discussion / Activity
Afternoon Session Welcome by BUS & St. Frances Academy Staff
Keynote #4 Dr. Charlene Lane, PhD, MSW – Implications of Forced Migration and Displacement on Health and Insights into Faith-Centered Social Work for Wholistic Health.
Small group discussion and activity
Optional activities for dinner in Baltimore including the Orioles Game
Thursday
Welcome by BUS & Helping Up Mission Staff
Keynote #1 Dr. Bob Aronson, DrPH (Chair of Public Health at Elizabethtown College) – Ways that Gentrification and Displacement Inhibit Wholistic Health in Neighborhoods and Societies.
Small group discussion and activity
Afternoon Session Welcome by BUS & Helping Up Mission Staff
Dr. Lisa Scheifele, PhD (Loyola University & Baltimore Underground Science Space)
Dr. Kim Phipps, PhD (President of Messiah University)
Keynote #2 Dr. Angela Howell, PhD (Professor of Social Work at Morgan State University) – Health Challenges in Baltimore from Sociological Perspective and Insights into Why Faith Communities Provide Resilience and Wholistic Health.
Small group discussion and activity
Optional activities for dinner in Baltimore
Messiah faculty and administration participated in the BUS Symposium on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Dr. Kim Phipps – President of Messiah University
Katie Rosoulopoulos – Director of the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement
Beverly Upshaw – BUS Campus Coordinator
Christy Hanson – Dean of Experiential Learning
Joy Fea – Career Coach and Internship Program Coordinator
Dr. Marcelle Giovannetti – Vince Provost of Student Success and Engagement and Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Charlene Lane – Associate Professor and Chair of Social Work
Dr. Kris Hansen-Kieffer – Adjunct Faculty of Graduate Programs in Higher Education
Symposium guests, faculty, and students from Elizabethtown College and Messiah University at the entrance to the St. Frances Academy Chapel on Friday, September 15th.
The Saturday following the two days of seminars, the Baltimore Urban Studies program hosted their 3rd Annual Run for the BUS 5K where they had more than 80 participants in Baltimore and around the country!
Wheaton College & Baltimore Urban Studies Symposium–Faith in Action Holistic Health Symposium
From September 21st through September 23rd, BUS staff members, Rev. Danté Upshaw, Dr. Micah Hughes, and Vincent Williams facilitated each session at Wheaton College. Attendees included students and faculty from Health Sciences, Biology, Public Health, Christian Formation and Ministry, Global Health, Human Development and Ministry, Concepts of Epidemiology, and Social Life of Cities classes. Some sessions had more than 100 students in attendance. A highlight was a special session speaking to student Resident Assistants on campus who are Student Ministry Leaders.
The Wheaton Students also learned from educators, clinicians, pastors, social workers, and community leaders of Baltimore and Washington DC. They were taught about the partnerships of Johns Hopkins University mental health services and the Spiritual Recovery programs that are available at Helping Up Mission that help break cycles of addiction and homelessness. Students participated in service learning at the Urban Peace Park at Stillmeadow Community Fellowship.
Leslie Whitfield, MSW (BUS Internship Coordinator), Micah Hughes, PhD (BUS Academic Director), and Danté Upshaw, (BUS Program Director and Campus Pastor) with the Wheaton students in front of the US Capitol.
Ministry and Evangelism Student Leaders training.
Students interested in attending a short-term program in Baltimore over fall break spent time around the fire pit and enjoyed dinner at Professor Dan Haase’s house.
Vincent Williams, BUS Enrollment Manager, speaking with Wheaton Students about the Baltimore Urban Studies Program
Pictured above: Isis Toldson (Biblical Interpretation and Theology), Sophia Flores (Business Economics & Interpersonal Communication), Josh Oyola (Psychology), Abby Rodriguez (Art & Urban Studies), Ron Veard (Applied Health Science), Hayley Myers (Christian Formation and Ministry), Eliana Ziman (Anthropology and Christian Formation and Ministry), Seth Rieske (Psychology), Imani (Spanish and Sociology), and Alani Oyola (Double major in English Writing and Urban Studies).
After Baltimore Urban Studies time at Wheaton College for the symposium, 10 students will visit the BUS campus over fall break for what we’re calling the Taste & See 2023. We can’t wait!