Leaders of Pasadena’s Largest Higher Education Institutions Meet in Forum at Caltech Today

A panel of five leaders from major Pasadena educational institutions are set to participate in a forum at Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium Wednesday to discuss the role of pursuing a higher education in our advancing world.

“Honoring Civil Engagement” is to be moderated by Pasadena Star-News’ Editor Larry Wilson after a special introduction by Mayor Terry Tornek.

“The Honoring Civil Engagement Forum creates an opportunity for leaders of Pasadena-based institutions of higher education to affirm and engage in issues of public dialogue and social transformation that concern all of us,” said panelist and Fuller Theological Seminary President Mark Labberton.

Panelists include Patricia Breen, President of Pacific Oaks College; Lorne Buchman, President of Art Center; Mark Labberton, President of Fuller Theological Seminary; Thomas Rosenbaum, President of Caltech; and Rajen Vurdien, Superintendent President of PCC.

“Civil engagement to me and to PCC means that it is our ultimate responsibility as an institution of higher learning to level the playing field so that regardless of your race, ethnicity, and socio-economic background we are here to give you an opportunity to succeed and create a better society,” explained Vurdien.

Topics of discussion are planned to tie in to the role of higher education and how it encourages civil discourse, according to a press release. Some of the topics include art, politics, science, family relationships and more.

“To be deep into these kinds of conversations is to really give and put meaning around so many things that the youth and students can do if they seek to have meaningful lives themselves,” said Art Center President Lorne Buchman. “I think that would be a great outcome of this conversation.”

The powerhouse gathering will be a rare opportunity for the community to hear from the men and women that represent institutions that shape the minds of thousands of students every year.

“Without an education, there’s simply nothing we can do in this world. The world has advanced so much that regardless of the type of job that we are going to be doing, unless we are literate population, we will not be able to get anything done. The future resides on a literate citizen’s rate that is capable of understanding what the future has in store for us,” said Vurdien.

Event organizers said Collaborate PASadena and the Pasadena Youth Council contributed to the staging of the event.

The free forum will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 14 in Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium located at 1200 E. California Blvd.

For mandatory/required reservation, please click  https://civil-engagement.eventbrite.com