By Faith Topolski, Staff Writer
Agape Latte is a chance for students on-campus students to engage in open and meaningful conversation. The event is faith-based and the conversation is lead by a central guest speaker. Topics are diverse and hard-hitting, with past themes being anxiety, family and marriage, coming out and living out faith. There are many possibilities as to what theme will be at the next Agape Latte.
The guest speaker for this session is university President Dennis DePerro. The topic he will be discussing is not yet clear; however, those organizing the event are eager to find out and are confident his theme “will be great no matter what,” as senior accounting major Natalie Wasek, one of the organizers, put it. “He could talk about the experiences he has had so far being the new president, or something closer to his personal beliefs. What he talks about will offer a closer look at who he is as a person and who he will be as the president.”
“Personally, I’m very excited to be welcoming Dr. DePerro into the lineup of our guest speakers,” said Kyra Burgess, freshman Spanish major and one of the other event organizers. “Given that he has recently assumed his position, not many students or faculty have had the opportunity to get to know him outside of his position as the president of the university.”
Before DePerro speaks, the first portion of the event will be encouraging those in attendance to begin conversation over refreshments. In the past, these have included things like cookies or small brownies, and drinks have included: tea, hot chocolate, and, of course, coffee.
While guests are enjoying their snacks, drinks and budding discussion, they are able to take in some live entertainment. In the past there have been pianists who performed, and one time the campus poetry club, Chattertons, was invited and held a short poetry slam. The entertainment further encourages students to engage with those around them become comfortable in the setting and prepare for the speaker.
When the speaker has concluded his or her story, the speaker has the option to open up the conversation into a question and answer style discussion. The main point is that students who attend are encouraged to continue the dialogue, not only in the setting of Agape Latte, but beyond that into the time following the initial speech.
“The wonderful thing about Agape Latte is that it creates a platform where there is no longer a divide between professor and student, where everyone is on equal footing,” Burgess said. “It’s a space that encourages an open dialogue between the speaker and those in attendance.”
The conversations that are inspired by the speaker can open new doors for people to experience and understand new issues and perspectives.
“So, I’ve been helping with Agape Latte for the past two years now and have fallen in love with it,” Wasek said. “I love how it draws students closer together over such incredible topics.”
The upcoming discussion is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Reilly Center Café.
