DWU’s Stark lecture to address rural living
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 8, 2023
DWU’s Stark lecture to address rural living
MITCHELL – Dakota Wesleyan University will offer its first Stark Lecture of the academic year on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Sherman Center, at 11 a.m.
This first in an annual series of speakers will feature DWU president Dr. Dan Kittle. The title of Kittle’s lecture is “A Life Worth Living: A Rural Perspective.”
Kittle began his service as President of Dakota Wesleyan University in March 2022. Prior to joining the DWU community, he served as the Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students at Wartburg College, in Waverly, Iowa. He served Wartburg for over 16 years, starting in Academic Affairs with administrative responsibility for faculty development aimed at enhancing service learning.
President Kittle has a longstanding commitment to service in the community, starting in earnest while serving in Student Affairs at Michigan State University (MSU). While at MSU, he had a unique role whereby his position was jointly supported by the University and the City of East Lansing, charging him with leading efforts to build community between members of both entities. Shortly after arriving at Wartburg College, Dr. Kittle was part of a group of community leaders who founded the Bremer County Recovery Coalition, a regional organization that was tasked with disaster relief. Dr. Kittle was elected as the inaugural president and served in that role for over a decade. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Blue Mountain Project (BMP), an international non-governmental organization dedicated to partnering with the people of the Hagley Gap District of Jamaica to improve health, education and the economy.
The Stark Lecture brings to campus religious leaders, authors, educators, activists, politicians, journalists and entertainers who are living examples of the biblical message.
Dr. Franklin C. Stark graduated from DWU in 1937 and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from DWU in 1959. Dr. Stark endowed the Stark Lectures to bring the stories of those who are “living examples of the truths of the Biblical message” to campus. Through his gift, DWU has welcomed numerous speakers of national stature. Presentations have demonstrated the authenticity of the connection between faith and works.
The lecture is free and open to the public. The presentation will also be livestreamed at dwu.edu/live.
The next presentation in the series will be held on Monday, Sept. 18, in observance of Constitution Day. Dr. Brad Tennant, visiting professor of history, will speak on “The Dred Scott Case and Native American Rights.” That lecture will be held in the School of Business, Innovation and Leadership, Room 117. It is also free and open to the public and will be livestreamed at dwu.edu/live.
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About DWU
DWU is a private, liberal arts university associated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church, that is rooted in four values: lifelong learning, leadership development, faith exploration and genuine service to others. For more information about Dakota Wesleyan University, go to www.dwu.edu.
