Reach Higher Showcase exhibits will include student group's approach to 宗教间的相互理解

"Believing and Belonging on Campus," an 跨信仰Photovoice project hosted by the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, is a cohort of Grand Valley students taking an arts-based approach to 宗教间的相互理解. 使用手机 phone photography, this group of students explored each other's lived experiences by capturing the stories of each participant, 他们的信仰、实践和价值观.

Their research is an example of the innovative projects 这将在展览期间展出 2024达到更高的展示 . 4月12日星期五， a sample of the work they have produced over the semester will be presented at the Gordon Gallery 在德沃斯中心 on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus, accompanied by representatives from the group to provide further prespective on the overall experience.

“These students are creating a work of visual sociology,” said Roman Williams, founder and director of 跨信仰Photovoice . “Their images are research, documentaries, working to provide a voice to their religious, secular or spiritual identities.”

More than 100 Reach Higher Showcase projects will be exhibited, including an array of bold initiatives, educational innovations, technological advancements and hands-on demonstrations from a wide range of academic disciplines and departments. 

表演从下午4点到7点.m. 在德沃斯中心. 菲洛梅娜五世总统. 曼特拉将在下午4点发表讲话.m. in Loosemore礼堂.

“This is the kind of space we hope to make in our efforts at the Kaufman Institute, a place where we can foster connections between people and begin to understand the experiential differences between students,” said Liz 英语, program coordinator at the 考夫曼跨信仰研究所 and co-facilitator for this cohort.

Cecelia Olson, an 英语 major and writing minor, said, “With many people from GVSU attending this event, we hope our images will educate those in power on the faith needs of students on campus, as well as enhance their overall experience with faith in 与GVSU的关系."

Originally coming from underserved areas of China, Photovoice was created in the 1990s to give a voice to women’s health concerns in rural areas, said Williams. 每个参与者 given a camera and asked to take images of their health needs, building on the foundation that images and words together can effectively express community, as well as individual needs, 问题和欲望.

Photovoice has since branched out into various forms, such as examining community development, international development, 公共卫生和教育. With the facilitation of Williams, this group of students was guided through conversations on faith, providing room to hear each other’s beliefs and backgrounds 博天堂官方网页宗教.

Sri Rakumari Mendu, who is graduating this month with a master’s degree in health administration, said engaging in the project has broadened and enhanced her views on religion.

“Being a Hindu from India, my upbringing naturally centered around Hinduism, which has profoundly influenced my 宗教知识，”罗库马里说. “与 individuals from different religious backgrounds in the interfaith cohort helped me understand their stories and experiences. 我得到了 valuable perspectives, allowing me to appreciate the nuances and 他们信仰的复杂性."

托马斯·加勒特 is a student writer for University 通信. Garrett, a native of Stevensville, is a senior who 主修写作.