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President: Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD
Breaking Bread - Breaking Chains
November 2016
Breaking Bread - Breaking Chains at St. Mary’s College of Maryland was organized and initiated by Katharina von Kellenbach, professor of religious studies. On Sept. 27, the Keti Koti Table Foundation on behalf of St. Mary’s College of Maryland introduced for the first time in the United States, a formal Keti Koti Dialogue Table with “Breaking Bread – Breaking Chains” dinner dialogue at the College. The Dutch tradition was established over the last ten years to commemorate the abolishment of Dutch slavery in 1863 and to reflect upon the legacy of slavery in our lives.
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The program was facilitated by Mercedes Zandwijken and Machiel Keestra, the Belgian developers of the Keti Koti Dialogue Table. They were invited by Professor Katharina von Kellenbach, who met the pair during her sabbatical year at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. The Keti Koti dialogue table brings together an equal number of black and white participants, inviting them to exchange their personal experiences and ideas on freedom, identity and the consequences of the shared history of slavery for all. The series of rituals and facilitated dialogue creates a safe and intimate environment which makes participants confident to share sensitive experiences and feelings. In addition to Breaking Bread – Breaking Chains, the foundation hosted a 24-hour Racial Reconciliation Relay where each hour a different pair of diverse people engaged in facilitated dialogue on their personal experiences and thoughts regarding the shared history of slavery and its aftermath.
More than 60 students, faculty, staff and community members from the Arts Alliance participated in the meal, prepared by Bon Appétit. “The format of one-on-one conversations framed by ritual actions, such as chewing bitter wood, listening to “songs of sorrow” (performed under the direction of Larry Vote), and rubbing away of the sorrows of the past with coconut oil, created an intimacy in which people could share truthful stories about their lives,” concludes Katharina von Kellenbach. “I believe these keti koti events set the ground for meaningful exchanges and alerted the white participants to the need to recognize the virulent reality of racism in the lives of their black conversation partners. What became very clear was the need for active solidarity and personal accountability in the face of this ongoing history of the exploitation of black people.”
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Anne Arundel Hall Dedicated Along with Courtyard Construction of the $34 million project began in July 2014 and the new facility opened for classes on August 29, 2016. Anne Arundel Hall represents a unique partnership between the College, the State of Maryland and Historic St. Mary’s City. It provides research and learning space for students, faculty and staff in anthropology, museum studies and international languages and cultures. The hall also houses the Center for the Study of Democracy. During the dedication ceremony on October 15, President Tuajuanda C. Jordan announced the naming of the Gail Harmon Courtyard, honoring the Board of Trustee member’s thoughtful leadership, visionary philanthropy and committed service to the College.
SMCM Physics Program Highlighted in National Report The SMCM Physics program is highlighted as a role model in the report, “Phys21: Preparing Physics Students for 21st Century Careers.” The report, published by the Joint Task Force on Undergraduate Physics Programs (J-TUPP) and convened by the American Physical Society (APS) and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), selected the College as one of five case studies of successful, innovative physics programs. SMCM is highlighted in examples of the physics faculty’s use of assessments to truly measure innovations; keeping in touch with alumni; embedding career exploration into first year courses; giving administration value for the money; using assessments to measure innovation; and conducting exit surveys with students majoring or minoring in physics.