Critical Concerns Week 2024

Mercy on the Move: Day 1

Via Email

A morning reflection on migration for the GCU community

Sock and Underwear Drive

Donation bins located in Mercy, Raymond, Jeffries Halls, and all CCW events

Beginning today, GCU will collect socks and underwear for migrants who have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Donations will be sorted, packed, and shipped by students on Thursday.

A Work of Mercy: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”

Virtual

A virtual faculty/staff retreat with Sr. Terry Saetta, RSM. Explore this year’s critical concern through Scripture, poetry, prayer, and reflection – all through the lens of Mercy. Register for the retreat here.

Fair Trade Sale Sponsored by Mission & Ministry and GEN400

Jeffries Hall Breezeway

Campus Ministry and GEN400.01 are teaming up with SERRV International to host a fair-trade sale. Come by the table to shop for beautiful handicrafts from around the world, as well as delicious coffee, tea, and chocolate. You'll be helping farmers and artisans worldwide earn fair compensation for what they produce, allowing them to build their local communities by opening health clinics, paying school fees, and empowering women.

Prioritizing the Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being of Students of Color in Policies, Practices, and Programming sponsored by GCU Counseling Department

McAuley Heritage

Organizations and programs have been created to address the racial inequalities in the educational system, support students of color in the transition from high school to college, and ensure college success. This session will equip professional staff at these organizations and programs with the knowledge, resources, and strategies to identify and promote the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color across the organization's policies, practices, and programming.

Mercy on the Move: Day 2

Via email

A morning reflection on migration for the GCU community

Fair Trade Table Sponsored by Mission & Ministry and GEN400

Jeffries Hall Breezeway

Campus Ministry and GEN400.01 are teaming up with SERRV International to host a fair-trade sale. Come by the table to shop for beautiful handicrafts from around the world, as well as delicious coffee, tea, and chocolate. You'll be helping farmers and artisans worldwide earn fair compensation for what they produce, allowing them to build their local communities by opening health clinics, paying school fees, and empowering women.

Language Exchange Global Café

Gavan Lounge

Come join the Global Lions for a dynamic language exchange event! Bring your lunch and immerse yourself in a fun-filled hour of learning, practicing, and sharing languages with participants from all backgrounds.

Breaking Boundaries Graphic Design Display sponsored by Dr. Jinsook Kim and GCU’s Graphic Design Students

Display in Casino Auditorium

Junior and senior graphic design students will participate in a unique collaborative project centered on the theme of Immigration.

Under the guidance of Dr. Jinsook Kim, the project will involve individual and collective efforts, emphasizing the "Breaking Boundaries" concept in line with Mercy and global community values. Students will employ visual storytelling techniques to depict a range of narratives inspired by music connected to the CCW 2024 theme, such as 'West Side Story'. Their displays will feature a collection of posters, animations, and an interactive exhibit providing insights into the students' diverse interpretations and perspectives.

Signature Event: Critical Concerns Week 2024

Casino Auditorium

Prayer Beyond Borders

An ecumenical prayer service in solidarity with migrants seeking safety and a place to live with dignity.

Dance Performance: Supper, People on the Move

Presentation by Silvana Cardell

Exhibition books and panels of portraits of People on the Move by Jennifer Baker

Excerpt of Supper, People on the Move, performed by Dance Department Majors

Choreographer/Director: Silvana Cardell

Music: Nick Zammuto

Social

Refreshments/social/background music

Keynote Address: Successful Refugees Resettlement: A Whole of Society Approach

Dr. Carolyn Woo

Carolyn Woo is a Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development at Purdue University, where she assists in various international collaborative efforts. Woo is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.

Q&A/Wrap Up

Mercy on the Move: Day 3

Via email

A morning reflection on migration for the GCU community

Bird House Building

Gavan Lounge

Join Student Life for a hands-on bird house-building activity, where we will explore the importance of migration and provide shelter for our feathered friends. Learn about the vital role bird houses play in supporting migratory birds crafting your own to take home.

Migration in the Natural World Panel Discussion with Dr. Pamela Rader, Dr. Mike Gross, Mr. Jeff Schaffer

Little Theater

Movement is the natural state of so many living things. Migratory birds, fish insects, and wildlife have adapted to migrate with the rhythm of changing seasons and environmental conditions. Even plants find ways to move across the landscape. Learn some amazing facts about these movements and the obstacles they face.

Mercy at the Border: A film and Panel Discussion by Participants in the Mercy Border Immersion Experience Sponsored by The Mercy Associates

Little Theater

Mercy on Film, a collaborative series curated by the Communication and English departments, is delighted to present a special CCW’24 screening of “The River on the Wall.” Following the screening, join us for a panel discussion organized by the Mercy Associates focused on the human cost of the border issue. “The River and the Wall” (2019) takes viewers on an immersive adventure through the unknown wilds as five friends travel the Texas borderlands, covering 1200 miles from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico via horses, mountain bikes, and canoes.

Mercy on the Move: Day 4

Via email

A morning reflection on migration for the GCU community

Fair Trade Sale Sponsored by Mission & Ministry and GEN400

Jeffries Hall Breezeway

GCU and SERRV International have joined together to host a fair-trade sale. Come by the table to shop for beautiful handicrafts from around the world, as well as delicious coffee, tea, and chocolate. You'll be helping farmers and artisans worldwide earn fair compensation for what they produce, allowing them to build their local communities by opening health clinics, paying school fees, and empowering women.

Carlos Andrés Gómez

Little Theater

Join us for an inspiring afternoon with Carlos Andrés Gómez, a Colombian American poet, speaker, and actor from the dynamic city of New York. Join us as Carlos, the celebrated author of "Fractures," "Hijito," and the memoir "Man Up: Reimagining Modern Manhood," shares his unique insights and experiences. Known for his captivating performances on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, TV One’s Verses and Flow, and in Spike Lee’s hit movie "Inside Man" alongside Denzel Washington, Carlos is a luminary in the world of poetry and performance.

His numerous accolades, including the Felix Pollak Prize in Poetry and the Sandy Crimmins National Prize for Poetry, reflect his profound impact on the literary landscape. Additionally, his dedication to positive change through initiatives like Senior Orientation, which he co-founded with John Legend, showcases his commitment to making a difference.

Socks & Underwear Drive Wrap-Up

Casino Ballroom

Student Volunteers will sort and pack donations for shipping to meet the basic needs of migrants.