SCCA holds banquet

Ann Wharton Lecture series begins Feb. 5

The Ann Wharton Lecture series will celebrate its 11th annual event with guest Dr. Colin Harbinson speaking on the topic “ Living Art, Living Stones” Feb. 5-6.

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According to Dean of the School of Communication & Creative Arts (SCCA) Dr. Norman Mintle, Harbinson will give lectures all day Feb. 5 and then speak at the Ann Wharton banquet that evening. Harbinson will speak at a School of Music and SCCA faculty Convocation Feb. 6 before meeting with individual students to provide career and spiritual counseling. The event will be cosponsored by Liberty’s Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement.

The Ann Wharton Lecture series began in honor of retired Liberty University professor Ann Wharton, according to SCCA Director of the Graduate Program Dr. Cecil Kramer. Wharton founded the Liberty Champion and was a beloved journalism teacher, Kramer said.

“(We) bring in guest speakers in (Wharton’s) honor revolving around communication studies of some sort,” Kramer said. “We bring in a very special speaker so that people can get connected with people that are already professionals in the field.”

According to Mintle, he selects guest speakers from a list of lecturers recommended by faculty members. Harbinson is experienced in the creative arts, mission work and theater, according to his website. Additionally, the website states that Harbinson worked as dean of the College of the Arts at the University of Nations, directed a theater school and worked with Youth on Mission.

“Dr. Harbinson is a world-renowned apologist for the mission and purpose of art as worship and ministry,” Mintle said.

According to Kramer, the series is intended to encourage faculty and students to persevere in their academic and professional pursuits.

Mintle echoed Kramer’s thoughts, saying he hopes the lecture series will help students pursue the truth in the influential sphere of
communication.

“Media (and) the arts and messages portrayed are undoubtedly the greatest influencers in our global culture today,” Mintle said. “Here in (SCCA) we take very seriously our mandate to create world-class programs to prepare our graduates to enter the world of media arts through the industries of film or acting, of TV, radio and news (and) through the studio and digital arts, all in an effort to tell stories of truth that resonate with our audiences and provokes them to consider Truth with a capital T — that’s Jesus.”

Though organized by the SCCA, the banquet is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Tickets to the banquet can be purchased at the Vines ticket center for $10, and Mintle encouraged those “interested in the intersection of arts and culture” to come.

“I think it’s just a wonderful opportunity for students to hear from somebody who has given his life to the art and the discipline and to glean and learn from the contributions that they’ve made,” Kramer said. “(Harbinson) just wants to dedicate his life to helping (students) be a success.”

Steptoe is a news reporter.

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