"Last Lecture": Love Over Fear

Rev Seth Wispelwey was the guest speaker at this year's "Last Lecture" on April 18. The "Last Lecture" is an invitation for a speaker to address the graduating class of Religion majors as if it were their last time to do so.

Wispelwey is a grassroots organizer, educator, nonprofit consultant, and pastor. He works for Restoration Village Arts in Charlottesville, Va. An ordained minister with the United Church of Christ, Seth holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. In July 2017, Seth was one of the organizers of Congregate C'ville, which issued a call for clergy and faith leaders to come to Charlottesville to confront the national white supremacist rally that was held in the city on August 12. Peter Slade, chair of the religion department, said, "We believe Seth will have an important message for our students and his life experience will connect with their own. His commitment to nonviolence resonates with our Brethren heritage here at Ashland University."

For more on Seth Wispelwey and the movement of clergy in Charlottesville, read this article published by the World Council of Churches.