KATIE HAHN | guest writer
AMIE VANMAAHEN | guest writer
“Teaching Knowledge and Good Judgment,” taken from Psalm 119:66, is the theme for the 17th annual Common Day of Learning, and the event’s many presenters, including guest speakers, APU staff, faculty and students, will strive to do just that by presenting their knowledge through seminars Wednesday, March 4.
The event will take place throughout APU’s east and west campuses.
“We want to produce learning that is faith infused,” Faculty Director for Common Day of Learning Dr. Jennifer E. Walsh said.
This event has grown over the years. Twenty years ago, the Carnegie Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to instill greater academic scholarship in universities, visited APU’s campus. The development of CDL came at the recommendation of a summery report of the Carnegie visit.
“The Carnegie Foundation suggested we grow in academic offerings and quality,” Walsh said.
Earnest L. Boyer was the president of the Carnegie Foundation during the visit to APU. His brother, William E. Boyer, was the former dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Because of their impact at APU, this event is officially named after them, and is so named the “William E. and Ernest L. Boyer Common Day of Learning.”
The event was designed to align with APU’s mission statement, which includes the desire to be both disciples and scholars.
“The purpose of this event is to showcase the scholarly achievements of faculty, staff, and students,” Walsh said.
Walsh’s job is to receive the proposals, prepare them with other individuals and structure the event so it is balanced.
Past speakers have included: U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop (1994); Dan Heseltine, the lead singer for Jars of Clay (2006); and Phil Vischer, creator of Big Idea Productions (2007).
According to Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs Dr. Diane Guido, one way the Common Day of Learning has evolved over the years is that in addition to greater population of attendees, there is also now an evening event.
The evening event last year was The Bible Experience Live, which featured several celebrities.
This year, the evening session features Joni Eareckson Tada and Nigel Cameron sharing from their book How To Be a Christian in a Brave New World.
“There have been extra efforts to include faculty and students from all the colleges within APU,” Guido said.
This year, there will be a variety of topical presentations that will be of interest to all students and faculty, regardless of year, major or position.
“There are ebbs and flows regarding enthusiasm and direction,” Walsh said.
The history and evolution of the Common Day of Learning have provided strong roots for its future growth.
“The reason we shut down the school for the day is to have students and faculty learn together,” APU President Jon Wallace said.
The Common Day of Learning encourages growth beyond the walls of a classroom.
“This is an opportunity to share with the broader community. Presenters invite their family and friends,” Walsh said. “We sent out information to the Azusa and Glendora city council members, ninety churches, Fuller, and Claremont.”
“God-honoring excellence is to mentor and grow through a lifetime,” Wallace said.
