IWU Students Attend Chicago Humanities Festival

December 14, 2004

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—Three Illinois Wesleyan seniors recently attended the 15th annual Chicago Humanities Festival. Ashley Locke, an English and music double major from Glen Ellyn, Ill., William Porter, an English and philosophy double major from Snellville, Ga., and Daniel Glade, a religion major from Port Byron, Ill., were selected by the University to spend a weekend in Chicago, Friday Nov. 5 to Sunday Nov. 7, the most eventful three days of the two-week festival, according to Locke.

Located throughout the Chicago Loop, the festival comprises events held at the Art Institute, Symphony Center, and the Chicago Cultural Center, as well as at the University of Chicago and the Northwestern School of Law. The students enjoyed two expense-paid nights in a youth hostel in the Loop.

The theme of this year’s festival was “Time,” and the events, which covered everything from literature, the visual arts, history, theatre and architecture to current events, incorporated this focus. Many of the guest speakers were winners of prestigious awards in their field.

Locke, who attended a talk at the Art Institute given by two Caldecott award-winning illustrators, a gala performance of a newly-restored African American musical entitled Tan Manhattan, a lecture by playwright August Wilson, and an evening performance of contemporary cabaret music, commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. It was great to be in so many locations throughout the city of Chicago, hearing and seeing so many interesting people.”

“I feel very honored to have been selected by Illinois Wesleyan to attend,” said Locke.

Contact: Anna Deters (309) 556-3181