DWU’s Stark Lecture to address spirituality, community development

By Mitchell Now February 7, 2024 9:54 am

MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELL NOW) Dakota Wesleyan University will offer a second Stark Lecture of the academic year on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the School of Business, Innovation and Leadership, Room 117, at 7 p.m.

This lecture will feature Tatewin Means, Executive Director of Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation. The title of Means’ lecture is “The Intersection of Spirituality and Community Development.”

Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation is an Indigenous grassroots organization in Oglala Territory, seeking liberation for Lakota people through language, lifeways and spirituality. Means is from the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, Oglala Lakota and Inhanktonwan nations in South Dakota. She grew up in her Oglala homelands where her father is from. She served as the Attorney General for the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from 2012-2017.

Means will also appear the same day at a “Coffee and Conversation” event from 2 – 3 p.m. in the Tiger Café located inside the McGovern Library.

The Stark Lecture brings to campus religious leaders, authors, educators, activists, politicians, journalists and entertainers who are living examples of the biblical message.

Dr. Franklin C. Stark graduated from DWU in 1937 and received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from DWU in 1959. Dr. Stark endowed the Stark Lectures to bring the stories of those who are “living examples of the truths of the Biblical message” to campus. Through his gift, DWU has welcomed numerous speakers of national stature. Presentations have demonstrated the authenticity of the connection between faith and works.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The presentation will also be livestreamed at http://dwu.edu/live.

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