Perspective on youth sports, treatment for phantom limb pain, Hope’s early emphasis on globalization, conflict and resolution in the Reformed Church in America, how new chemical reactions are developed and the path of democracy in 19th-century London will all be featured during the annual Hope College Winter Happening on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Winter Happening will feature multiple seminars in two blocks in the morning, a luncheon with musical entertainment and a home men’s basketball game with Albion College. Open to the general public, the event is sponsored by the college’s office of public and community relations.
Admission to the seminars is free. There is an admission charge for the luncheon and the basketball game.
The morning will feature six seminars, three at 9:30 a.m. and three at 11 a.m.
The 9:30 a.m. seminars are “Making Youth Sports Safer for the Mind, Body, and Spirit,” “Celebrating Hope College’s Early Graduates” and “Preparation, Hard Work, and Luck: A Guide to the Development of a New Chemical Reaction.” The 11 a.m. seminars are “A Good Fight: Loyalty and Conflict in the RCA,” “Electrical Stimulation as a Treatment Option for Phantom Limb Pain” and “Making Democracy: Lessons from 19th Century London.”
“Making Youth Sports Safer for the Mind, Body, and Spirit” will explore the current status of youth sports, focusing on early athletic specialization, sports injury and the role of parents. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Kirk Brumels, who is director of the college’s athletic training program, an associate professor of kinesiology and athletic trainer; and by Dr. Scott Vander Stoep, who is dean for the social sciences and a professor of psychology.
“Celebrating Hope College’s Early Graduates” will examine how Hope’s emphasis on diversity, inclusion and global education are reflected in the stories of alumni of the latter 19th and early 20th centuries, including the first graduates from abroad, two members of the Class of 1879 who were from Japan. The seminar will be presented by Alfredo Gonzales, who is associate provost and dean for international and multicultural education; Fumihito Andy Nakajima, who is an associate professor of Japanese; and John Yelding, who is an associate professor of education.
“Preparation, Hard Work, and Luck: A Guide to the Development of a New Chemical Reaction” will provide a layperson-oriented review of the techniques used to develop molecular understanding, the characteristics of a desirable reaction, and the role of hard work—and luck. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, assistant professor of chemistry and Towsley Research Scholar.
“A Good Fight: Loyalty and Conflict in the RCA” will provide a brief history of the Reformed Church in America, which is the college’s parent denomination, from 1945 to 1994, with a focus on conflict and attempts at resolution. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Lynn Japinga, professor of religion.
“Electrical Stimulation as a Treatment Option for Phantom Limb Pain” will review the results of research at Hope that seeks to reduce or eliminate pain that seems to be coming from limbs that have been amputated. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Katie Polasek, assistant professor of engineering.
“Making Democracy: Lessons from 19th Century London” will explore how between 1780 and 1890 Westminster, which had been London’s most radical and contentious election district, became its most conservative and tranquil. The seminar will be presented by Dr. Marc Baer, professor of history and chairperson of the department.
The luncheon begins at 12:30 p.m. at the Haworth Inn and Conference Center ballroom, and costs $12 per person. Highlights will include a performance by Hope music students.
The men’s basketball team will host Albion College at 3 p.m. at the DeVos Fieldhouse. Tickets are $6, and a limited number of general admission tickets will be available for persons attending other Winter Happening events.
Also during the weekend, the gallery of the De Pree Art Center will be featuring the exhibition “PROOF: An Exhibition of Printmaking.” The exhibition is running from Friday, Jan. 11, through Friday, Feb. 8, and the regular gallery hours are Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free.
In addition to being required for the luncheon, advance registration is recommended for the seminars. Additional information may be obtained by calling the college’s office of public and community relations at (616) 395-7860 or online at hope.edu/pr/13WinterHappening.html
Registration during the morning of the event will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Haworth Inn and Conference Center, located facing College Avenue between Ninth and 10th streets.