Linfield University is honored to accept a Peace Pole from the Newberg Noon Rotary, which will be unveiled at noon on Thursday, Sept. 28 in the flower garden directly in front of Melrose Hall.
The first Peace Pole was installed in Ishikawa, Japan, after the bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Since then, more than 200,000 Peace Poles have been installed; every country on earth has at least one. Rotary District 5100 has installed hundreds of Peace Poles throughout Oregon, including more than 325 in 2020 alone.
Linfield University’s Peace Pole dedication ceremony will begin with opening remarks from President Miles K. Davis and Rotary leadership, followed by a speech from political science professor Dawn Nowacki on building peace through mutual understanding, travel and education.
Dr. Nowacki’s expertise lies in the government and politics of Russia; the politics of nationalism and religion; and gender in international relations. She held a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship in Russia in 2001 and has led students on more than a dozen international study and research programs. Prior to receiving her doctorate in political science from Emory, she worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in the Soviet Area Audience Research department.
Following Nowacki’s speech, Linfield Chaplain Jeremy Richards will offer an interfaith benediction. To end the ceremony, students will share the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the eight languages represented on the pole and others spoken on Linfield’s McMinnville campus.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch to enjoy. Food will be available for purchase from Taste of the World food truck, Starbucks and Dillin Hall. Nonalcoholic beverages and light refreshments are available. The International Program Office will host a regularly-scheduled Thursday Tea Hour early and serve moon cakes after the ceremony in honor of the Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated Sept. 29 in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and other countries around the world.
For more information, contact Yu-Shan Chen at ychen3@linfield.edu.
When: Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28
Where: The Commencement Green in front of Melrose Hall
Cost: Free and open to the public. Food will be available for purchase from Taste of the World food truck, the Starbucks inside Riley Campus Center and in Dillin Hall. Visitors may park in any non-reserved spot.
