Acclaimed author Elizabeth Royte will speak at chapel sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Transformation (PACT) Program on April 17 in Reardon Auditorium. Immediately after chapel, she will host a book signing for her book, Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash, in the bookstore. A lunchtime question-and-answer conversation will be held in the Kane Dining Room from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Royte looks at recycling, E-waste and the zero waste movement from all sides, and discusses the practical ways in which we can achieve positive change by limiting our waste footprints.

Gospel music legend Sandi Patty and special guest Patrick Henry Hughes, recently featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” will perform with other artists during “Sandi and Friends: A Benefit Celebrating Character” on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in Reardon Auditorium. Also featured during the concert will be renowned Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen and popular speaker/author Patsy Clairmont. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Center for Character Development at Anderson University.

“A Ripple of Hope,” a new documentary created by Covenant Productions at Anderson University, will be a featured live segment tomorrow morning (Friday, April 4) during “Morning Joe” with Joe Scarborough at approximately 7:45 a.m. (E.S.T. on MSNBC. The broadcast time for “Morning Joe” is between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. (E.S.T.). Also, the documentary will be featured on CBS Evening News at 6 p.m. (E.S.T.) , Sunday, April 6.

Anderson University hosted Mr. Thurston Clarke, nationally-known scholar and Robert F. Kennedy biographer, during a free public session at 4 p.m, Thursday, April 3 in Reardon Auditorium lobby.

Clarke’s session focused on the topic of political communication. Against the historical backdrop of RFK’s funeral train, Clark spoke on the significance of the 1968 election, RFK’s decision to run for president and the early days of his campaign. Clark finished by responding to questions from those in attendance.

Governor Mitch Daniels will honor alumni and gospel music singing and songwriting pioneers Bill and Gloria Gaither with the 2008 Sachem, the state’s highest honor, at a ceremony this week.

“With all the success they have achieved, the Gaithers still live with us: in the house in which they raised their children, in the way in which they raised those children, in the way in which they and their music have spoken to us and to the better angels of our nature now for fifty plus years,” said Daniels.

The Department of Modern Foreign Languages is hosting a forum entitled “Unity & Diversity: Immigration in the 21st Century” in Hartung 101 on April 8 and 15.

The forum on April 8 will include a showing of the film Dying to Live at 5:30 p.m. The following Tuesday, on April 15 at 7:30, the forum will host a panel of three experts in Indiana immigration: Angela D. Adams, Dr. John Clark and Father Daniel Groody.

Both events are free, and open to the public.

Anderson University mourns the recent passing of Dr. Gilbert Stafford, professor emeritus of Theology and former director of the Doctor of Ministry program within the School of Theology. Dr. Stafford passed away on Sunday, March 30, following an extended struggle with cancer. He retired at the end of the 2006-07 academic year after 31 years of service.

Anderson University announces the resignation of Michael Zapolski, Athletic Director for Anderson University. Zapolski recently accepted a position as Athletic Director of Augustana College located in Rock Island, Ill. He came to Anderson University during the 2003-04 school year replacing Barrett Bates, longtime coach and Athletic Director.

Covenant Productions at Anderson University (Anderson, Ind.) will offer free premieres of A Ripple of Hope, an independent documentary which captures one poignant day in the life of Robert Kennedy and explores a little known act of personal courage and responsibility. The premieres will occur in Anderson and Indianapolis on April 3 and April 4. The confirmed screening schedule is as follows:

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil will speak in Chapel on Tuesday and Thursday, March 18 and 20 at 10 a.m. In addition, she will be speaking in an evening service in Reardon Auditorium on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.