Northwestern College Student Selected for Interdisciplinary Symposium

Northwestern College junior Ali Almail of Bahrain and Canada has been selected to participate in the annual Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Symposium to be held at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., May 28 to June 1. Almail, a double major in art and genetics, molecular and cellular biology, is one of only 12 students selected for the symposium.

“When I heard about this opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue with other high-caliber Christian college students, Ali sprang to mind immediately,” says Dr. John Vonder Bruegge, associate professor of biblical and theological studies and co-director of Northwestern’s Honors Program. “His life and education thus far have resulted in a rare skill set far beyond his years, allowing him to cross with ease the traditional boundaries that ostensibly denote division and difference—national, cultural, religious or disciplinary.” Vonder Bruegge recommended Almail for the symposium.

Open to highly motivated juniors and seniors who are enrolled at Council for Christian Colleges & Universities institutions, the symposium will offer students the opportunity to participate in the art of interdisciplinary collaboration and interact with other thinkers who share a passion for disciplinary integration. Participants will be awarded a stipend and receive free registration, lodging and meals at the symposium.

“I’m looking forward to meeting fellow Christian scholars who are passionate about engaging current world issues and having dynamic interdisciplinary conversations,” says Almail. “I am grateful for my selection and excited to see how God develops me through this experience.”