This past Tuesday, Wilkinson College of Arts & Humanities hosted the Albert Schweitzer Exhibition Dedication to celebrate the newly renovated exhibition in Argyros Forum. The exhibition includes original artifacts, books, and memorabilia celebrating the life of Dr. Schweitzer and his role as a guiding spirit for the intellectual and ethical pursuits of Chapman University.

two people looking at a tv screen

Dr. Albert Schweitzer was a theologian, philosopher, musicologist, organist, and physician whose contributions to the arts, sciences, and humanities distinguished him as a great leader of his time. He lived his philosophy which hinged on three words: “Reverence for Life”. He argued that all life on earth is unified and sacred and that humans have a fundamental responsibility to care for each other and the environment. Schweitzer received the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy, and with the prize money founded his hospital at Lambaréné in Central Africa.

The dedication event was highlighted by a compelling group of speakers including Patrick Fuery (Dean of Wilkinson College), Dr. Mike Martin (Schweitzer scholar, professor of philosophy, and author of Albert Schweitzer’s Reverence for Life: Ethical Idealism and Self Realization), and Dr. Nancy Martin (new chair of Chapman’s Schweitzer Institute). John Scudder, the main donor for the new renovation was also in attendance. Students also came out to enjoy the event, taking advantage of the Schweitzer photo booth, complete with white safari hat and prop mustaches.

three women posing

woman posing

The exhibition will remain on display permanently on the second floor of Argyros Forum and we encourage everyone to take some time to stop by the cases and even enjoy the new interactive iPad which features music selections, movie clips, and even more information about Schweitzer’s publications.

 

Dr. Albert Schweitzer’s “Reverence for Life” philosophy remains a compelling message and his passion for service and social justice continues to inspire and ignite young thinkers to this day.

black and white photo of man holding kitten

The Albert Schweitzer Collection has been made possible through gifts and support from Kurt and Alice Bergel, Dorothy and Lee Ellerbrock, Valerie Scudder, John Scudder, the Marjorie Mosher Schmidt Foundation, The Fashionables, Erica Anderson, Dr. Donald Desfor, Dr. Louise Jilek-Aall, Dr. Mike Martin, Karen Martin, Anne Frey, Dr. Maurice Frey, Manuel J. Rosales (Rosales Pipe Organ Services, Inc.), Frederick Franck, Gordon L. Shepherd, Ronald Huntington, and Dr. Marvin Meyer

Special Thanks to the Association International d’loeuvre du Albert Schweitzer de Lambarene (AISL) and La Fondation Internationale de l’Hospital du Docteur Albert Schweitzer for their research assistance. This exhibit was also made possible through the efforts  of student curatorial assistants: Hannah Brockway, Mark Bustamante, Kimberly Powers, Yelena Kasianova, Mackenzie Davisson, Alexandra Allen, Jessica Johnson, and Manon Wogahn.