Baptist minister wins online course prize

from an article on the Centre for Extended Learning website

As a young Baptist minister in the late 1970's, Stephen Kring enrolled in his first correspondence course, and thereby began a journey that, in 2010, culminated in the achievement of a Bachelor of Arts degree in excellent standing — without ever stepping into a classroom.

Kring's chosen degree in Classical Studies was a natural fit — in his own words, he "wanted to understand as clearly as possible the world in which the New Testament scriptures were written. The Greek and Roman world provided the cultural and historical background for both Jesus's life and the travels and letters of His apostles. To be a better expository preacher, I wanted to understand that background.… I have truly enjoyed spreading out my studying over 32 years. It's like going to a smorgasbord and simply taking your time to savour the selections that you find most appetizing!"

Kring (left) says Waterloo was “one of the few universities that I knew about that offered an entire BA program through what at that time was known as Distance Education. Since it offered a classical studies major, I looked no further. Moreover, I worked full-time as the minister of a Baptist church in Delhi, Ontario (where I am still serving after 33 years), and therefore simply didn't have time to take on-campus courses. Distance education offered a way for me to keep on studying and expanding my mind and horizons, while still working at what I love best!"

He recalls that "When I began studying at Waterloo, I would receive the expected package of cassette tapes. My battery operated portable cassette player was my regular companion! Over the years we graduated to lectures on CD-Rom. Eventually, the Internet replaced even the CD. The online approach certainly has many advantages, because the professors can easily update their material and can supplement it with information that is available on the web." The adoption of new course delivery technologies isn't always seamless, but "the online environment does offer interaction with other students taking the same course, so you don't feel so isolated as a remote learner." At the end of the day, "the value of the course and the expertise of the professor teaching it" are the main benefit.

Kring has been named the 2010 winner of the James D. Leslie Prize, awarded annually to a graduate who has earned at least half of the credits for his/her degree through distance (online) courses and achieved an overall first-class standing. The Prize is named in honour of James D. Leslie, who conceived of and launched the university's first correspondence program in 1968.

Kring tells a little about himself: "I enjoy biking with my wife (we even have a bicycle built for two), playing basketball and tennis, and teaching at the chess club at the Delhi Public School. I also play the trumpet and help out with the high school band. And I won't deny that I enjoy doing my own home renovations — as long as I have lots of time to figure out how to do them! Tent camping for two weeks each summer in a different part of Ontario or the United States has been a constant part of our lives for many years. My wife and I have homeschooled our five children from K to Grade 3 and then have sent them to the public school/high school in our area. I am also the chaplain at the Delhi Long Term Care Centre and write a religious article entitled 'Looking Up' in the Delhi News-Record a couple of times per month."

This life-long learner, now 55 years of age and a grandfather of two, says he has no “immediate plans” to take more courses, but “there are several areas of independent study that I would like to pursue now that would involve the writing of articles and speaking at pastors' conferences."

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That's how Renison decorates for Christmas. Elves in high-speed action are featured in a brief video sent to friends and alumni of Renison University College this season — and you can tell it's Renison because, although there's not a reindeer in sight, the wall over the fireplace features one mighty moose. The guitarist is second-year student Adam Jasim.

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Symposium tomorrow on sex and family

Student and faculty research about sex and relationships — from 500-year-old religious teaching to the “Twilight” vampire saga — will be featured in a symposium tomorrow organized by the department of Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies (SMF) at St. Jerome’s University.

The theme for the second annual SMF symposium is "Ethical Intersections: Research, Theory and Practice”, says Jenn Wunder, a student who’s helping to organize the day’s activities and who will herself be speaking on “Ambiguity and Sex/Gender Roles” in the “Twilight” books and movies. She’ll also give a presentation on “Gendered Experiences in Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Downtown Kitchener”.

 The symposium will cover “a broad range of topics within sexualities, relationships, and families”, she said. A morning keynote talk will be given by Jacqueline Murray of the University of Guelph (“Through the Glass Darkly: Medieval Sex/Modern Sex”) and an afternoon talk by a poet known as “Oni The Haitian Sensation”. Together, Wunder says, the talks “will bring to light the ethical issues related to historical and contemporary ideas about sexualities and the development of responsible citizenship through education and dialogue.”

Among the titles of other papers scheduled tomorrow: “Canadian Sexuality on the British Homefront During the Second World War”; “Butch/Femme Culture and Dynamics in North America, 1930-1970”; “Promoting Satisfaction in Long-Distance Relationships”; “The Impact of Social Support on  Males  Who Have Experienced Divorce”; “Hegemonic Masculinity, Sexual Assault and Professional Sports”; “The  Regulation of Marriage and Sexuality in Zwingli’s Zurich 1520-1531”; “Gender Nonconformity Among Male-to-Female Transgendered Children”.

The event, to be held in Sweeney Hall and Siegfried Hall at St. Jerome’s, will also include a film screening, poster sessions and a wine-and-cheese gathering.

The SMF program “has been evolving since it was first established in 1972,” says Wunder, “and had its first SMF honours class graduate in June 2010. As the need for education and research in the areas of sexualities, relationships, and families continues to grow, the SMF program introduces students, faculty, and community members to the research being undertaken in these understudied areas.

“Overall, the SMF program aims to reflect the St. Jerome’s mission by educating the whole person, maintaining focus on citizenship (community and global), and partnering with programs such as the Centre for Responsible Citizenship and Beyond Borders. The annual SMF Symposium makes public these goals while providing a forum for discussion and community engagement.”

Proceeds from the conference will be donated to the Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, she said.

CAR

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