Bill Apel, professor of religion at Linfield College since 1975 who will retire in June, will present a “last lecture” Thursday, April 28, at 7 p.m. in Jonasson Hall, lower level of Melrose Hall at Linfield.
When asked what he would title his final lecture – if he only had one more lecture to give – he said, “An Open Window: the Seen and the Unseen.”
Apel has influenced hundreds of Linfield students about religious issues over the years. He served as college chaplain for 20 years, in addition to teaching religion classes. In his role as college chaplain, he coordinated baccalaureate services and organized two peace symposiums, which were the forerunners to the Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium. Later, he helped coordinate the Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium and was active in organizing the Pollard and Frazee Lectureships, which brought speakers to campus including former President Jimmy Carter.
Apel has led January Term classes internationally and locally, including “Monks and Mystics” at Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey near Lafayette. He is the author of Signs of Peace: The Interfaith Letters of Thomas Merton and Interfaith Dialog and Understanding. He has spoken extensively about peace issues, including at an international peace conference in Rome, Italy.
The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. For more information, contact Debbie Harmon, director of alumni and parent relations, 503-883-2607, dharmon@linfield.edu.
