If we needed reminders that life will serve up challenges none of us would have predicted, the year 2020 provided plenty. The great pandemic, heated protests over racial injustice, and a disputed election dominated the headlines. But other great disruptions troubled us at least as much: some as global as environmental disasters, others as personal as the loss of a job or a loved one in the midst of COVID-19. Disruption is often painful, but with it comes opportunity. When the familiar ways forward are blocked, we explore new ways, whether in science and technology, business and finance, politics and justice, or even in how we imagine community and relationships. Beyond 2020, we have the chance to break new ground, letting go of old paradigms and embracing new, innovative ways of working and living together. The 2021 Symposium invites Westminster students to actively and creatively examine the disruptions of 2020 in order to cast a vision for our collective future. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

6:00 pm — Pre-Symposium Workshops

Janice Mathews-Gordon, '81
Visual Artist and Owner, JMG Art, Inc., First Female Graduate of Westminster College
“Express Yourself!” 
Champ Foyer
If art sustains us during difficult times, this workshop offers one small antidote! Students, faculty, and staff should come ready to make a creative splash as they explore a few abstract painting techniques during this mini-workshop. Paint, scribble, print, drip, and splatter your way into two small expressive mixed-paintings suitable for framing. (Limit: 20)
Moderator: Dr. Natasia Sexton
Co-Host: Remley Women & Gender Resource Center

The Yoga Connection
Dr. Therese Miller
Professor of Health and Exercise Science
The Hill
"Connection" is what we need now more than ever: connecting our past to the future ("Beyond 2020") is the present. Let’s go there! To prepare for the Symposium, this evening yoga practice will focus on being present and aware of the vital connections that enrich our lives — like the mind and body connection, linking breath and movement, and enjoying yoga … together. Come enjoy some pre-Symposium "yoga on the Hill" with Dr. Miller.
Moderator: Sarah Backer, Media and Content Strategist
Co-Host: Kappa Kappa Gamma

Anne Rulo
Speaker and Mental Health Therapist
“Creativity, Flexibility, and Vulnerability: What COVID-19 Taught Us About Being the Village” 
Hermann Lounge
The COVID-19 pandemic altered our lives in so many ways, yet our basic human needs for support, connectedness, and provision did not change. This workshop will explore the broad ways that the world shifted to meet these needs and will celebrate how participants saw that play out in their own lives. We have lived through a most extraordinary experience. Now, it is important that we make sure to hold on to what we learned and affirm the ways we thrived. We will do that here together. (Limit: 25)
Moderator: Sarah Stevens, Assistant Director of Counseling Services
Co-Host: Wellness Center

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

9:00 am — Introduction and Plenary 1

Justin Sperry, PhD
Vice President, Technology and Innovation for Biotherapeutics and Vaccines - Pfizer
“Past, Present, and Future Insights Into the COVID-19 Vaccine"  
Champ Auditorium
On March 17, 2020, Pfizer and BioNTech announced a partnership to develop an mRNA vaccine candidate targeting COVID-19. Just 248 days later, on Nov. 20, 2020, an Emergency Use Authorization was submitted to the FDA demonstrating significant efficacy, safety, and manufacturability of the vaccine. This presentation will provide insights into the people, places, and science impacting the development and progression of the program, with an emphasis on the worldwide impact of Missouri scientists, key learnings, and a glimpse into the future of mRNA technologies. 
Moderator: Drue Duncan, '95 BθΠ
Co-Hosts: Dr. Gabe McNett & Beta Beta Beta

Shauna Aminath, '08
Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology – The Maldives
“Environmental Policy where it Matters Most: A Conversation with Shauna Aminath” (Held Virtually)
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
Since she helped launch EcoHouse at Westminster in 2007, Shauna Aminath has been fighting for environmental sustainability, both locally and worldwide. Her work in her home country of the Maldives began when, shortly after graduation, she was appointed as the Under Secretary at the Policy Office for President Mohamed Nasheed, where she was responsible for leading the nation’s efforts to be carbon-neutral by 2020. Since then she has consistently fought for both democratic rule and sound environmental policies for the Maldives — one of the world’s most endangered countries — and was recently appointed Minister of Environment, Climate Change, and Technology. Through this conversation, Shauna will give an overview of her work over the past dozen years, report on what 2020 meant for her goals, and cast her vision for the future.
Moderator: Dr. Dawn Holliday
Co-Host: EcoHouse

11:30 am - 1:00 pm — LUNCH BREAK

1:00 pm – Executive 2

Jonathan Starr
Founder of Abaarso Network
“Education’s Future Post 2020: Humans vs. Technology”
Champ Auditorium
Ask your Alexa the derivative of 3x^2 + 8x and it will immediately give you the correct answer. Technology knows the best route to your friend’s house and can probably drive you there safer, too. There are more and more ways in which humans cannot possibly compete with technology. Yet there are arenas in which our brains’ competitive advantage over computers is massive. The pandemic forced us to come to terms with our relationship with technology in the realm of education. The future of education must now be reconfigured to embrace technology’s strengths so that we can hone our own. With proper education, we can cheer, not fear, technology’s march. 
Moderator: Dr. Barri Bumgarner
Co-Hosts: International Club and the African Union

Chris Krehmeyer
President and CEO, Beyond Housing
“Beyond Housing: COVID Relief and Looking Forward”
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
As CEO and founder of Beyond Housing, Chris will introduce his organization, including the place-based model, methodology, progression of the organization, and current multifaceted approach (e.g., departments, community engagement). He will then summarize the challenges over the years, with special concentration on COVID-19 relief efforts. After a brief discussion of housing insecurity — past, present, local, and national —Chris will help us look forward to future innovation that will impact his work as well as the region.
Moderator: Dr. Amanda Gowin
Co-Host: ODK

2:15 pm – Breakout 1

Julie Davidson, '86, KAΘ, Market Chief Financial Officer - UnitedHealthcare
“Workplace of the Future: Adapting to a Post-Pandemic 'New Normal'”
CSC 126 (+CSCLH for Additional Seating)
The pandemic has impacted the business world in many ways, from how work is performed to the financial bottom line. Certain industries and organizations thrived while others struggled. How work will be performed in the future is far from settled. Julie will share her experiences working in a corporate environment during the pandemic and how business culture could likely be impacted by alternative work arrangements. 
Moderator: Ashley Dodson, Assistant Professor of Accounting
Co-Host: Kappa Alpha Theta

Roberta Guerrina, PhD
Professor of Political Science, University of Bristol, U.K.
“A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste: Creating an Inclusive Post-Pandemic World” (Virtual Presentation)
CSC 304 (+305 for Additional Seating)
2020 will be remembered as the year the world slowed down. For many commentators, the spread of COVID-19 threw into disarray established social, political, and economic certainties and the norms that guided the global political economy. For others, this was the year in which we were afforded the opportunity to reflect on our impact on the planet and the interconnected nature of sociopolitical structures. In other words, our post-2020 world is an opportunity to imagine a different future. This presentation will discuss how feminism and inclusive planetary politics can guide the future in Europe and around the world.    
Moderator: Dr. Kali Wright-Smith
Co-Hosts: Remley Women’s & Gender Resource Center

Abbie Heppe
Director of Live Service, Media Molecule
“Bringing the Outdoors into Your Living Room” (Virtual Presentation)
CSC 329 (+330 for Additional Seating)
Faced with canceling a year or more of social and marketing events, the creators at Media Molecule, starting with a walk in the woods through to a full-scale games conference, pivoted to bring those events directly to players in their own homes. It’s meant designing in a new way, creating experiences over games, and working more collaboratively with one another and our players. This talk is about creating virtual spaces and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.  
Moderator: Chris Cox, Instructor of Computing and Digital Technology
Co-Hosts: Chess Club and D&D Club (Forthcoming)

Hassaan Sipra, '11 ΦΔΘ
Climate Finance Fellow, Research Society of International Law, Islamabad, Pakistan
“The Climate and Environment in the Age of Disruption: Post-COVID Outlook”
HAZ 112 (+102 for Additional Seating)
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare hard truths and lessons for the global economy, further highlighting the need for managing the relationship between human progress and our natural resources. The post-2015 development agenda seeks to achieve holistic sustainability; its reevaluation and reorientation is necessary to maintain the momentum significantly lost during the pandemic. This presentation will frame a narrative on the climate and environment, focusing on the role of critical actors in providing a platform that works for all nations, all peoples, and all life.  
Moderator: Dr. David Schmidt
Co-Host: GDP

Dakota McMahand
Founder and Executive Director of Budding Artists
“The Artivist Within: Utilizing the Arts to Transform Community”
HAZ 302 (+311 for Additional Seating)
We are all artists. We are all engineers of hope. We all have the capacity to solve complex problems that affect our community. 2020 provided us with time to reflect on what we value and illuminate what is broken. This session is focused on the power of grassroots problem-solving, by leveraging the power of the arts and implementing activism’s strategic planning to create sustainable change within our communities. This session includes an exploratory, process-based art experience.
Moderator: Dr. Tami Ensor
Co-Host: Education Association

3:30 pm — Executive 3   

J'Den Cox
Olympic Medalist and World Wrestling Champion
“Taking a Stand: Moving Beyond BLM to Equity for All”
Champ Auditorium
J’den Cox says he spent much of his life as a privileged Black athlete, sheltered from racial inequity by his celebrity status. But through understanding the stress and fear others experience daily, he recognizes the importance of every individual stepping up to fight racial injustice. In this talk, J’den will tell his story while also challenging us to confront the truth, accept and appreciate difference, and find the courage to create a more equitable world for all.
Moderator: Matt Mitchell, Director of Athletics and Head Men's Basketball Coach
Co-Host: Wrestling Team

Janice Mathews-Gordon, '81
Visual Artist and Owner, JMG Art, Inc., First Female Graduate of Westminster College
“Art Matters: Staying Sane in a Crazy World”
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
Art and creativity have always helped sustain us during times of upheaval and crisis, including the recent months of pandemic and social unrest. Baked deep in our DNA, the drive to create manifests itself in countless ways. This presentation will explore this most human trait and its profoundly positive effects even during COVID’s grip, as Janice shares examples and thoughts from her own artistic journey. As she demonstrates the necessity of art in maintaining a healthy and humane world, she will also offer inspiration for finding our own creative path as we navigate uncertain days ahead. 
Moderator: Dr. Nate Leonard
Co-Host: Performing Arts Club

4:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Dinner Break

7:00 pm: Hancock Symposium Special Event

Joy Harjo
23^rd Poet Laureate of the United States
"An Evening of Poetry and Music"
Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury
Book Signing to Follow – The Undercroft of America's National Churchill Museum
Joy will give a poetry reading and musical performance that promises to focus on the value of the arts to sustain us. A book signing will follow.
Moderator: Dr. Jeremy Reed
Co-Hosts: Janus and Sigma Tau Delta

Thursday, September 16, 2021

9:00 am — Plenary 2

Brian Wesbury
Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors, LP 
''Normal or New Normal, That Is the Question''
Champ Auditorium
Yes, it was the strangest year ever. We locked down the economy for a pandemic, spent trillions of dollars to overcome the economic crisis that followed, and printed trillions of dollars of new money to help pay for it. In the meantime, even though many small businesses did not survive, U.S. stock markets moved to new highs. With vaccines being distributed and COVID data improving in many regions, the world is heading back to “normal.” But will it be a “new normal”? Economist Brian Wesbury will discuss this topic and more.
Moderator: Dr. Anisur Rahman
Co-Host: The Blue Blazers 

10:30 a.m. — Breakout 2

Lynn Rossy, PhD
Executive Director, Tasting Mindfulness, LLC
“Turning Toward Discomfort: Using Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Change Your Relationship to Stress” 
CSC 126 (+CSCLH for additional seating)
Most people associate stress with difficult emotions and even physical breakdown. But that is not the whole story. This presentation will help you change your mindset from one that avoids stress at all costs to one that embraces stress as a normal part of life. Stress is something we can’t avoid, so why not learn how to respond to it with kindness and curiosity. Learn mindfulness and self-compassion techniques that will help you thrive during stressful times.  
Moderator: Dr. Kasi Lacey
Co-Host: Peer Health Educators

Amy Laurel Fluker, PhD, '08
Robert W. Reeder I Professor of History, Youngstown State University
“Disrupting the Narrative: Why Civil War History Matters” 
CSC 304 (+305 for additional seating)
History is not set in stone but is an ever-evolving narrative that reflects the values of the present. In 2020, for example, the Black Lives Matter movement inspired a dramatic and controversial reappraisal of Civil War history. This talk will explain how racial politics have shaped popular understandings of the war’s causes and consequences. It will illustrate how Civil War history has been used both to empower some and to marginalize others. Finally, it will reflect on the fundamental importance of history to our identities, culture, and politics. 
Moderator: Dr. Mark Boulton
Co-Host: The History Club

Matthew Thimgan, PhD
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, Missouri S&T
“Sleeping through Unprecedented Times” 
CSC 329 (+330 for Additional Seating)
Along with diet and exercise, sleep is emerging as a critical pillar of health. Americans are getting less sleep as a result of work, technology, and increasing rates of sleep disorders. COVID-19 has clearly altered sleep for many, but it is not the only disruption that has and will disrupt sleep, especially in college students. Sleep deprivation degrades cognitive performance and personal health. As a result, sleep consciousness should be a part of the renewed focus on self-care. This presentation will discuss the biology that underlies the ability to sleep, different problems that can occur without it, and strategies to improve one’s sleep.  
Moderator: Dr. Bharat Dhital
Co-Host: Pre-Healthcare Professionals Association

Gordon Pennycook, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Regina’s Hill/Levene Schools of Business
“Intuition, Reason, and Social Media” (Virtual Presentation)
HAZ 112 (+102 for Additional Seating)
Contrary to the narrative that social media algorithms impact cognition, our research shows that people can and do override their intuitions and that reasoning often facilitates accurate belief formation. Although social media may impact what is salient to us when making choices about what to share with others, this is not intractable: Simple prompts that remind people to think about accuracy are sufficient to increase the quality of the news content people share. This indicates that unreasonable behavior on social media is more a function of lazy thinking than of an inability for people to overcome social media algorithms. 
Moderator: Dr. Ryan Brunner
Co-Host: Psi Chi

Spiritual Life Panel
Rev. Colin Kerr, '06, Founding Pastor, Parkside Church (Joining Virtually)
Rev. Mahogany Thomas, '13, Executive Minister, Peoples Congregation United Church of Christ
A.R. “Flanny” Flanigan, '12, Residential Minister, Georgetown University
“Making the Road by Walking It: Connection, Meaning, and Spirituality During Crisis”
HAZ 302 (+311 for Additional Seating)
Join the Center for Faith and Service for a guided conversation with three Westminster alumni who served in various Christian ministry contexts during the pandemic. From planting a new church, transitioning faith communities, and serving as a hospital chaplain, engage with the insights our speakers have into spirituality, justice, and connection from their experiences during 2020.
Moderator: Rev. Kiva Nice-Webb
Co-Host: Center for Faith & Service

1:00 p.m. — Plenary 3

Laura King, PhD
Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri
“Meaning in Life During Difficult Times” 
Champ Auditorium
Many people believe that meaning in life is a rare achievement reserved for people who devote their lives to the pursuit of meaning. This presentation will dispel this and other myths about the experience of meaning in life. The presentation will focus on research concerning the experience of meaning during difficult times and discuss the important role of purpose in maintaining meaning during difficult times, even a global pandemic.  
Moderator: Dr. David Jones
Co-Host: Honors Program

5:00 p.m. Post-Symposium Dinner and Workshop

Marsh/Jones Room
Donald Wood, '00 ΣΧ
Founder of One Eight CREATE
"From Disruption and Dismantling to Design and Development: Reckoning with Building a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Blue Jay Nation” 
Today’s complex cultural realities have increased the potential for instability, misunderstanding, and incivility across our communities, significantly impacting organizations such as Westminster College. In this interactive workshop, participants will be challenged and empowered to build their capacity for co-creating a truly inclusive and equitable Westminster College culture. Designed to leverage student leadership’s diverse lived experiences in the context of the College’s new strategic plan, this experience will uniquely connect participants around a shared vision for leading the implementation of an emergent, sustainable institutional path to prosperity built on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion growth model.   
Moderator: Dr. Heidi LaVine
Co-Host: Alpha Chi

2021 Hancock Symposium Gallery

Livestream 2021 Symposium Playlist