Each year GISP chooses a new campus focus.  The 2014-15 focus for the Geneseo Interfaith Service Project is  "Am I My Grandmother's Keeper? Talking Across Generations." 

Geneseo's Martin Luther King Day of Service (January 19, 2015) is an important part of GISP's campus-community service work.  Each MLK day, students and senior citizens  participate in leadership and service program.  The 2015 luncheon speakers were Geneseo History Professor, Dr. Cathy Adams and community activist Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF LEADERSHIP & SERVICE

Monday, January 19, 10:00 – 3:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Leadership and Service will take place in the MacVittie College Union from 9:45 am to 3:00 pm on January 19, 2015. This day of leadership and service is planned as an inter-generational and interfaith event with SUNY Geneseo students and area senior citizen volunteers learning and working together on an important outreach effort to home-bound senior citizens in Livingston County. Signing up for this "workshop" includes registration and participation in the entire program from the opening keynote at 10:00 am through the service projects in the afternoon ending at 3:00 pm. The program will begin with a key-note address by Dr. Catherine Adams on "Dr. King's Beloved Community." One hour GOLD workshops will follow at 11:00 am and all participants must select and register for one of the five topics (see below). Lunch is included with special guest, Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin, who will share her story as a young black girl arrested and imprisoned for protesting at a whites-only movie theatre in Americus, Georgia in 1963. After lunch volunteers will assemble kits and greeting cards to be distributed to 400 home bound seniors, area veterans, families served by the Migrant Center, and low income K-12 students in eight area schools. The program will also feature musical selections by student soloists. The GOLD Program at SUNY Geneseo is partnering with Student & Campus Life, Center for Community, Multicultural Programs & Services, Volunteerism & Service Learning, Student Life, Student Association, Campus Auxiliary Services, ABVI-Goodwill, Livingston CARES and the Livingston County Office of the Aging to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The deadline for registration is Friday, December 19.

Please see the workshop listings for MLK Day at the right.  Register on the GOLD website.

MLK Day Workshops 2015

Civil Rights and Protests in America: From Augusta to Ferguson Since 1964

{Social Justice Series] (Bronze)Monday, January 19, 11:00 – 12:00 pm | MOSAIC, MacVittie College Union, Room 130
In July 1964, congress passed and President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Participants in this workshop will have an opportunity to reflect on the impact of democratic action and the state of civil rights in America fifty years later. Join guest speaker, Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin,and Fatima Rogriguez Johnson, Coordinator of Multicultural Programs and Services, for a lively conversation and discussion.
Instructors: Lulu Westbrooks-Griffin - Civil Rights Activist; Fatima Rodriguez Johnson - Coordinator, Multicultural Programs & Services

Community Resource Mapping

[CIDD Series] (Diamond) or (Jade) *Required Workshop
Monday, January 19, 11:00 – 12:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Room 319
Civic engagement begins with mapping your community. Every community has a unique history, a specific demographic composition, overlapping organizations and institutions and a particular matrix of human economic and geographic resources. This workshop will provide a conceptual and practical understanding of how individuals and/or groups may overcome obstacles and leverage resources to accomplish goals and positive change through civic and community engagement
Instructor: Wes Kennison - Class of 1979, and Faculty Fellow for International Studies

Giving a Global Voice to Emancipation: How Does Martin Luther King Jr.'s International Vision Influence Leaders Today?

(Opal) or (Diamond)
Monday, January 19, 11:00 – 12:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room
In the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Psalms was the songbook that reminded the ancient Hebrew community of their victories and struggles as they faced the challenges of their time. Dr. King lifted up voices from America, West Africa, India, Ancient Greece and Rome to mind us of how far we have come and how far we still must go to live up to the foundational principles of equality and freedom. The past year's celebration of American emancipation raises key issues for global leadership today. Every time we revisit the documents that outline our democratic values, we must wrestle with the ways in which our generation has or has not lived up to those ideals. McClure will explore a variety of ways in which these texts have been used to inspire civic activism and the development of regional identity as it pertains to leadership in government, education and business.
Instructor: Glenn McClure - Lecturer, English

Servant Leadership

[Living in the Real World Series] (Gold) or (Sapphire) or (Diamond)
Monday, January 19, 11:00 – 12:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Room 322/323
Robert K. Greenleaf defined servant leadership as the natural feeling by an individual to serve first and everything else will fall into place. This leadership model values the education, inspiration and development of others and the direct relationship it has with servant leadership. In a relaxed, fun, and participatory atmosphere, participants are given a brief introduction to the concept of servant leadership, are offered examples of servant leaders, and then encouraged to explore other leaders and leadership opportunities for the elements of servant leadership. One of the principle benefits of this workshop is that it provides a different context and new language for participants to learn in discussing and analyzing leadership.
Instructor: Tamara H. Kenney - Interim Administrative Director, Health & Counseling.

Volunteerism, Engagement & Service

(Sapphire) *Required Workshop
Monday, January 19, 11:00 – 12:00 pm | GOLD Leadership Center, MacVittie College Union, Room 114
Volunteerism is an active form of exercising leadership for the common good. This session is an introduction to volunteerism, community engagement, and service learning. You will learn a conceptual framework for volunteer service and explore the myriad of opportunities to volunteer in the Geneseo and Greater Livingston and Monroe County area or the Livingston County CARES programs and projects in Harrison County, Mississippi. Learn how to get the most out of your volunteer experience by choosing a volunteer and service opportunity that will benefit you, as well as the recipients.
Instructor: Jonathan Macko - Coordinator of Student Volunteerism, Center for Community

Elder Abuse: More Than Just Broken Bones (GOLD Social Justice Series)

Tuesday, September 30, 1:00 – 2:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room
Elder mistreatment is unfortunately a common phenomenon but is frequently unrecognized, unreported and under prosecuted. This workshop will cover the different forms elder abuse may take, how many older adults are affected, why it's so hard to identify and intervene in and what services and resources are available to victims. We will also discuss what role academic institutions and college age young adults have in protecting older adults from mistreatment.
Instructor: Paul Caccanise - Vice President for Program, Lifespan of Greater Rochester

Elder Abuse: A Growing Epidemic (GOLD Social Justice Series)

Tuesday, September 30, 2:30 – 3:30 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room
This workshop will focus on the growing tragedy of elder mistreatment in the United States and the actions taken and still needed to combat this growing epidemic.
Instructors: Kaaren Smith - Director, Livingston County Office of the Aging; Audry Rapp - Adult Protective Services, Livingston County Social Services Department

Faculty Research in Elder Issues

Tuesday, September 30, 4:00 – 5:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room
From the political to the biological to the sociological, Geneseo faculty study different aspects of aging and the life course. Our research and writing often serve as the basis for specific social policies and their implementation. For some, our research seeks to identify ways to improve how Americans experience the aging process.
Instructors: Dr. Anne Eisenberg - Professor, Sociology; Dr. Kazushige Yokoyama - Professor, Chemistry; Bonnie McCracken - Adjunct Lecture, Communication; Dr. Melanie Medeiros - Assistant Professor, Anthropology.

AN INTRODUCTION TO ZEN BUDDHISM

Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede's annual free presentation at Geneseo (the only place he will speak publicly, by the way) is scheduled this year for TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Black Box Theatre.  First come, first seated.
Sponsored by Asian / Asian American Studies and Programming

The Labyrinth Project

Take a reflective and spiritual journey through Geneseo's labyrinth. Labyrinths provide a framework for meditation and mental focus; to traverse the labyrinth is to bring the body into a state of well-being. As you walk through, we invite you to reflect on inter-generational relationships.  November 2-6 | MacVittie College Union Ballroom.

MacVittie Lecture and GISP series: "Claiming Identity at the Middle Ground: Life Cycles of a Biblical Site"

Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 – 8:00 pm | Doty Recital Hall
The MacVittie Lecture Series is an annual event honoring SUNY Geneseo President Dr. Robert MacVittie. This event with guest speaker Dr. Ron E. Tappy, the G. Albert Shoemaker Professor of Bible and Archaeology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Director of the James L. Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology in Pittsburgh. Dr. Tappy's teaching focuses on the life and literature of the Old Testament period, biblical archaeology, and the history of Israel. His research and publication interests center on the interrelated nature of the cultural, political, and economic history of Iron Age Israel as well as the various cultural groups with whom Israel interacted. He began excavating at various sites in Israel more than 30 years ago, and his current field research as Project Director and Principal Investigator of the Zeitah Excavations involves a full-scale field exploration of a Late Bronze Iron Age town in the Shephelah ("lowlands") region of biblical Judah in south-central Israel.

 

2014-15 events 

Knight's First Day of Service [GISP Event] (Sapphire)

Saturday, September 12, 8:00 – 1:30 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom

Knights First Day of Service is a program for new transfer and first-year students who will begin their studies at Geneseo in the fall. This volunteer effort gives you the opportunity to give back to Geneseo and the surrounding community while meeting and working with other new students. Students spend a Saturday morning at locations around Livingston County helping people or programs. Projects may include painting a barn, cleaning up a trail in Letchworth State Park, serving a senior citizen, or organizing books at the library. We'll identify a project for you, and you'll make new friends! We plan this event near the beginning of September in memory of the victims of the attacks of 9/11.

 Sign up today to join your classmates on Saturday, September 12, 2015! The program will run from 8:00am to 2:00pm and includes a luncheon near campus. Transportation will be provided for students who are placed at sites not within walking distance. Space is limited so sign up today! 

Instructors: Center for Community & GOLD Leader Mentors - Staff Members; Samantha Hebel - Coordinator of Student Leadership, Volunteerism and Service, Center for Community

 

Confederate Battle Flag and Freedom of Expression: Constitution Day Event [GISP Event] (Gold) or (Diamond)

Thursday, September 17, 3:00 – 4:00 pm | MacVittie College Union Hunt Room

On December 15th, 1791, the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified, establishing such concepts as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Nearly 225 years later, first amendment rights continue to provoke widespread debate throughout the country, especially when it comes to the public display of the Confederate battle flag on state and federal lands. In this workshop, a panel comprised of faculty members will discuss applying the first amendment in the 21st century and the debate surrounding controversial symbols like the Confederate battle flag. 

Instructors: Dr. Catherine Adams - Associate Professor, History Department; Dr. Justin Behrend - Associate Professor, History Department; James Moor - Lecturer, Political Science & International Relations; Dr. David Gordon - Associate Provost

 

Revisiting Transculturalism: The Emperor's New Clothes [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] [Cultural Harmony Week Event] (Opal)

Monday, October 19, 2:30 – 3:45 pm | MacVittie College Union Ballroom

Our world is forever evolving in all kinds of ways from shifts in geography and landscapes to the ways in which members of groups observe, engage and contemplate these changes. Dr. Bolles' presentation will look at a number of events in a handful of cultures and societies to illustrate this evolution. This Cultural Harmony Week Event is sponsored by the Anthropology Department, Black Studies and Comparative Literature (English Department).

Instructor: Dr. A Lynn Bolles - Professor, Department of Women's Studies at University of Maryland College Park

 

Superpowers Across the Planet: Mystics in India and Iceland [GISP Event] [Cultural Harmony Week Event] (Opal)

Tuesday, October 20, 4:30 – 5:30 pm | Riviera Theater, Center Street, Geneseo

This Cultural Harmony Week lecture will focus on the impact of globalization on religion. Dempsey's presentation will be on Mystics in India and Iceland. Corinne Dempsey is the Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Rosemary Benton Chair for International Studies, Nazareth College. This event is also supported by the Geneseo Interfaith Service Project. Co-sponsored by the Departments of Sociology and Philosophy 

Instructors: Corinne Dempsey - Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Nazareth College; Rosemary Benton - Chair for International Studies, Nazareth College

MacVittie Lecture: Dr. William Cavanaugh on" Does Religion Cause Violence? " [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] (Diamond)

Tuesday, November 10, 7:00 – 8:00 pm | Doty Recital Hall

Is something peculiar in religion that gives it a tendency to promote violence? Our guest speaker will argue that there is no reason to suppose that religious ideologies are more inclined than secular ideologies to promote violence, because there is no essential difference between the two. Secular ideologies can and do inspire as much lethal devotion as religions. Dr. William T. Cavanaugh is the Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology and Professor of Catholic Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. His degrees are from the universities of Notre Dame, Cambridge, and Duke. He is the author of six books, and the editor of two more. His books and articles have been published in nine languages. 

Instructor: Dr. William Cavanaugh - Director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology, DePaul University

 

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Challenge to Israel [Social Justice Series] [GISP Event] (Opal) or (Diamond)

Wednesday, November 18, 2:30 – 3:30 pm | MacVittie College Union Room 322/323

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues unabated. Both sides feel aggrieved and seek justice. The Palestinian BDS strategy to pressure Israel has become global and is being debated on many college campuses. How should Geneseo students respond? 

Instructor: Dr. Edward Drachman - Professor, Political Science and International Relations

Freedom of Expression: Embrace It or Waste It GISP Dinner and Dialogue [GISP Event] (Diamond)

Tuesday, February 9, 5:30 – 7:00 pm | Interfaith Center, Franklin Street, Geneseo

Fifth Annual Geneseo Interfaith Service Project (GISP) Community Dinner & Dialogue is one of the featured events in the GISP Series. A panel representing the faith community and the faculty will share their perspectives on the freedom of expression from multi faith perspectives. All campus and community faith groups and individuals are invited to participate in the discussion and enjoy a free meal courtesy of the Philanthropic Chefs and the Center for Community. Students and community residents may register for the dinner beginning December 1.