Apr/May 2024 e-Newsletter

Hello, Wilmette:

I'm writing this as the sun's total eclipse is beginning to affect my view of the NYC skyline. We hope you're happy with the new look of our Newsletter. This edition contains a reminder of the Admissions deadline for the Summer Quarter of our Social Transformation Certificate Program, which is Monday, April 29. We also have student news from our courses on Agriculture and Food and Fostering a Baha'i Identity in Families and a pictorial article documenting highlights of a recent visit by Institute staff and faculty to North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

It's not too soon to sign up for our next public webinar, Sunday, 19 May, focusing on Social Transformation and the Art of Writing. You won't want to miss the contributions from our Acting Director, Derik Smith, faculty member Whitney White Kazemipour, and distinguished colleague, Michael Karlberg. Michael Sabet, Editor of the Journal of Baha'i Studies, joins us as moderator.

If you have questions about our offerings, don't hesitate to contact us by email at learn@wilmetteinstitute.org or by phone at 877-945-6388. We'll be happy to hear from you.

Niki Casserly

Chief Editor

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Update on Courses, Webinars, and Student Achievements

Coming Soon: New Webinar

Flyer for Social Change through the Art of Writing featuring head shots of panelists and the moderator Michael Sabet along with a graphic showing interlocking human profiles with colors ranging from left to right newsprint grey to orange red and green

*Free Admission*

Sunday, 19 May, 1 pm Eastern

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring esteemed academics as they delve into the realms of Social Transformation through the art of writing. Discover how your voice can contribute to the discourses of society and become a powerful catalyst for change. This webinar will enable you to understand how the language we use in our writing is critical to the process of positive social change...

Panelists: Whitney White Kazemipour, Derik Smith, Michael Karlberg

"That Time Has Now Come" - our webinar on 31 March 2024 with Counselor Nwandi Lawson - attracted over 200 live participants and now has over 1,100 additional views. Watch a brief excerpt here in the Newsletter, or click the button below for the whole recording.

Watch on YouTube

cover graphic for video "That ime Has Now Come" featuring a photo of Counselor Nwandi Lawson.

Academics and Partnerships

Social Transformation Certificate Program

Deadline for Summer Admissions: 29 April

Flyer for Approaches to Non-violent Social Change course whic is part of the Social Transformation graduate certificate program and features a small group of students in discussion there is a laptop computer in the foreground

Online Certificate Application Form

graphic featuring a young black woman seated with one leg outstretched on the ground at a laptop with a cloud covered moon in background

Photo: Dr. Harvey McMurray welcomes Dr. Emily Agbenyega (right) and Dr. Chitra Golestani (left) to give a presentation, “Social Transformation: A Spiritual Process” at the Durham Baha'i Center.

NCCU-WI Collaboration: Pictorial

From March 16 to 19, 2024, staff and faculty of Wilmette Institute visited North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in Durham, North Carolina. The main purpose of the visit was to engage in the first NCCU-WI In-Person Interdisciplinary Faculty Meeting. During the visit there was a Provost Luncheon, Public Lecture with Dr. Joy DeGruy, and a Student Workshop. WI Collaborators also met with NCCU Administration to draft a Memorandum of Understanding. Click below to view a pictorial with highlights of the visit.

View Pictorial

Pictorial for Mobile Phones

Publications

Photo of the natural lawn at the Bahai House of Worship in Germany which provides a habitat for native plants and animals photo courtesy Christine Muller

Photo: The natural lawn at the Baha'i House of Worship in Germany provides a habitat for native plants and animals.

—courtesy Christine Muller

Support the Diversity of Wild Plants and Animals!

Each plant or animal has intrinsic value as God’s creation and offers known or still-to-be-discovered benefits to humanity, such as food, medicine, or natural resources. In addition, as the quote above explains, each species is essential for the well-being of the whole. Eradicating or diminishing certain species can bring entire ecosystems out of balance.

Conversations about Sustainable Living (Series)

Extension Student News

Learner is passionate about regenerative agriculture

Karin Lindquist

"Through the coursework, I’ve been learning more and more about the importance of consultation and detachment in applying and expressing ideas. Naturally, this is easier said than done, and it will continue to take practice (and patience!) throughout my life to get better at it."

Educator Incorporates Baha'i Guidance on Agriculture and Food

head shot of Shahla Wunderlich wearing a deep red turtleneck blouse and a colorful scarf

"As an educator, I have been involved over the last decade in researching food supply chains and food production systems in the USA and their impact on the environment. Most of my work centers around the university educational system (i.e., research and publications). I try to incorporate Baha'i perspectives into my work, so this course attracted me."

Photo: Shahla Wunderlich

Learner Explores Family Contributions to Service

Diana Malacalza

Diana Malacalza and her husband Adib enrolled simultaneously in the courses Fostering a Baha’i Identity in Families and Baha'i Perspectives on Agriculture and Food. During the course on family life, Diana shared her thoughts on ways of contributing to the movement of clusters as a family. She also shared meaningful quotations about service: the importance of accepting as well as giving service and offering service to willing receivers.

Aligning Practice to Principle: a student-led forum exchange

As an assignment during Baha'i Perspectives on Agriculture and Food, Phoebe Parros responded to the following question by initiating a thoughtful dialogue with her course mentor, Neil Whatley, and lead faculty, Arthur Dahl, on facilitating agriculture and rural development.

Discussion Question

"Reflecting on guidelines from the 20 October 1983 letter from the Universal House of Justice and the Bahá'í Writings on consultation, what individual characteristics and conduct do you believe are most appropriate for a Baha'i-inspired agriculture and rural development facilitator?"

April and May: Extension Courses

Fees and Tuition Support

4/24-6/18 (8 weeks)

Introducing Tablets of Baha’u’llah for Deepening, Devotion, Discourse

5/15-7/16 (9 weeks)

Exploring the Qur'an

5/22-7/16 (8 weeks)

Following the Example of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Toll-free Phone: 1-877-945-6388

Wilmette Institute is committed to engaging a broad and diverse community of learners in the deep study of the Baha'i Faith, and fostering a love for the study of the Faith. It was established in January 1995 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. Information from the eNewsletter may be copied or reproduced, provided the following credit is given: "Reprinted from the eNewsletter of Wilmette Institute," followed by the issue's date. Recipients are encouraged to forward the eNewsletter to friends. Questions? email learn@wilmetteinstitute.org.

Editor

Nicola Casserly

Production

Nicola Casserly

Hasti Khoshnammanesh, Mary Morris

Contributors

Arthur Lyon Dahl, Karin Lindquist

Diana Malacalza, Christine Muller

Phoebe Parros, Neil Whatley

Shahla Wunderlich