Chair celebratedLauren Thompson
Scholarship displayed at inaugural lecture
December 6, 2006
Lauren Thompson
Trinity Western University professor Dr. Jens Zimmermann cemented his new role as Canadian Research Chair (CRC) last Thursday night by delivering his inaugural lecture in the Northwest Auditorium.
Zimmermann was officially named the CRC in religion, interpretation, and culture this July. The position includes a grant awarding him and the university $500,000 over five years to pursue study in these areas. This is TWU’s second Chair, the first being Dr. Peter Flint who is Chair of Dead Sea Scrolls studies.
The evening, which Zimmermann described as being “part celebratory and part inaugural,” began with a woodwind quintet serenading guests as they arrived in the Northwest lobby. After the singing of the national anthem and opening remarks by President Jonathan Raymond, Zimmermann was introduced by Dr. Robert Burkinshaw, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Burkinshaw focused on the “passion and engagement” he observed in Zimmermann during his years at TWU, commenting on the strong academic reputation Zimmermann holds within his field.
The lecture itself outlined Zimmermann’s main objectives of his research. His principle goal is to integrate religion and reason, while avoiding fundamentalism. He also highlighted religion as vital to the study of culture, a point often combated in modern academia.
Attendees included TWU students, professors, and a few specially invited guests. These included Dr. Peter Erb of Wilfrid Laurier University and Dr. Mark Vessey of the University of British Columbia, both respected scholars in the fields of religion and culture who were involved in the peer review of Zimmermann’s work. The two professors provided the formal responses to the lecture that concluded the program.
Also in attendance were Zimmermann’s doctoral dissertation supervisor and over half of his dissertation examining committee. Other special guests included Zimmermann’s father, who traveled from Germany to attend the event.
When asked how he was adjusting to his new position, Zimmermann told Mars’ Hill that it “takes some getting used to,” saying the main differences so far have been teaching less and attending more conferences.
Zimmermann noted that the impact of his work would be most evident on the graduate level, especially in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities program.
But, he added, “If the university thrives and grows its reputation as an academic institution, it will indirectly benefit undergraduates.”
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