Campus News

October’s Forum Series line-up presents and interesting mix of lectures and entertainment. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Honor Killings in the Modern World
Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m., Fisher Memorial Chapel
Dr. Laila Anwarzai Ayoubi, associate professor at Martin University and adjunct professor at Butler University in Indianapolis, discusses her new book, Niki’s Honor, a powerful story about honor killing practices still occurring in many parts of the world against girls and women. The author, a former journalist and diplomat from Afghanistan, is a past recipient of the International Women Award. Her 2015 novel, inspired by a student’s interest in the topic, is based on the true story of a young Pashtun girl trapped by cultural traditions in her Soviet-controlled country. Dr. Ayoubi holds a Ph.D. in philosophy in international relations from Preston University, a master’s in near Easter languages and culture from Indiana University, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Martin University, and a bachelor’s in French and journalism from Kabul University. Event is free, tickets required. See Box Office for more information.

Musical: Xanadu
Thursday-Saturday, October 5-7, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 8, 2 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

Don’t miss the disco party that ensues when a beautiful Greek muse and her sisters come back to earth to help a struggling chalk artist fulfill his wildest dreams. Roller skates, leg warmers, Venice Beach, and 1980s pop-rock hits will permeate Maddox Theatre in this laugh-out-loud parody of the cult movie classic of the same name. Tickets $9 students/Seniors, $12 adults. Purchase tickets now.

Fourth Annual Rockford City Dance Festival
Friday-Saturday, October 13-14, 7:30 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

The Rockford City Dance Festival, now in its fourth year, brings together professional and pre-professional dance companies from Rockford and the surrounding area, performing original modern and ballet dance. Featured artists include Rockford University’s Orchesis Dance Company, Bad Wolf Dance Theatre, Without Shoes Modern Dance Company, Maria Castello and Jacques Saint-Cyr, and more. Admission is free. Donations to the Friends of the Performing Arts Appreciated.

The Dreamcatcher Foundation:
Brenda Myers-Powell
Monday, October 30, 7 p.m.
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center

Co-founder and executive director of the Dreamcatcher Foundation, Brenda Myers-Powell was a product of human trafficking at the age of 14, when she escaped an abusive home life and learned to navigate the streets of Chicago. She endured continued abuse and addiction for 25 years as a prostitute and survived to mentor young women out of the same path. Now, Myers-Powell educates on the perils of human trafficking with a raw edge not for the faint of heart. Event is free, tickets required. See Box Office for more information.