August 06, 2003
Graduation Dinner 2003 To Feature Keynote by Counselor Birkland

The Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization's 2003 summer session will culminate on Saturday evening, August 9, with a talk by Counselor Stephen Birkland.

Counselor Birkland will address the subject of "Scholarship and Systematic Growth." His talk will be followed by a presentation of certificates of attendance to the nine students at the 2003 summer session. Two other students will receive certificates of completion for the 2001-2002 session and two will receive certificates for completing the entire four-year sequence of courses.

The joyful event will close with a presentation by the students.

The graduation dinner is open to Wilmette Institute alums and friends. For information, please contact Robert Stockman at rstockman@usbnc.org.

August 04, 2003
Summer Session Off to a Strong Start

In spite of Airport-closing thunderstorms and a power outage in the classroom, the Wilmette Institute’s eighth summer session of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization began Saturday afternoon. Eight students from across the United States and one from South Korea were present for orientation and the opening class by Nader Saiedi, on the Bahá'í Authoritative Texts as they relate to the establishment of a new world order. After supper Martha Schweitz, J.D., spoke about the peace statement and the Bahá'í approach to world peace. Their classes continue through Monday. Other speakers this week include:

Nancy Davis, about how to create a curriculum for classes and courses on the Faith. (Monday and Tuesday afternoons)

Dr. Richard Thomas, on the oneness of humanity and the equality of races and genders (Wednesday)

Dr. Jaleh Dashti-Gibson, about the Bahá'í approach to political order (Thursday)

Dr. Craig Loehle, about science and religion (Friday morning)

Robert Stockman, Th.D., about Bahá'í history and community development, 1963 to the present (Thursday evening and Friday afternoon)

Morris Taylor, about how to teach the Faith effectively. (Saturday)

The number of students planning to participate has grown considerably in the last few days. But it is still possible to attend the entire session and dormitory space is still available. Tuition is $450 and lodging costs another $120. As in previous years, auditors will also be welcome; the costs are $75 per day or $25 per session (morning, afternoon, or evening). The charges are necessary to cover the high costs of flying in speakers, accommodating them, and feeding them.

The entire day-to-day schedule is available here. Classes will be held at the former Bahá'í Home in Wilmette. If you have any questions, contact the Wilmette Institute at 877-wilmette (877-945-6388) or info@wilmetteinstitute.org. Chicago-area people can audit specific classes or days for a fee.