Sae Jin Lee ('06) 2nd

Sae Jin Lee placed second in the C. Henry Smith Peace Oratorical Contest at Goshen College. Sae Jin, a fifth-year senior Bible and religion and art double major, and Michael Fecher ('08), a junior molecular biology and biochemistry major, were among the six students who spoke on various peace and justice issues.

Lee, in her speech "Rethinking SST: Beyond a Three-Months Long Requirement to a Life-Long Commitment to Intercultural Intentionality," encouraged intercultural intentionality on the Goshen College campus. She noted that last year's cultural audit reflected "a gap between what is believed on a theoretical level, and what is implemented on a personal level."

Lee surveyed several international students on campus, and discovered that many have found it difficult to have close relationships with U.S.-born students. Some shared stories of exclusiveness among U.S. students, and as a Korean-American herself, Lee related to a feeling of separation. "Our Study-Service Term experience overseas must be in unity with our interactions here on campus," said Lee.

Fecher spoke about issues relating to the campus divide on the recent decision to play the national anthem at some sporting events. His speech was titled "The National Anthem and the Anabaptist Vision." He urged people to come to the table of conversation not with arguments or agendas, but with stories about how they have come to believe what they do.

--Information from Goshen College news release.