Press release
from Lenoir-Rhyne University's Institute for Faith and Learning

HICKORY, N.C. — The Lenoir-Rhyne University Institute for Faith and Learning will welcome Dr. Vigen Guroian to campus on Thursday, February 14th at 7:00pm to present, “Gardening and Faith: Ecological Musings from the Garden.” This event will be held in the Belk Centrum on campus and is free and open to the public.

Dr. Guroian is an Orthodox theologian and renowned essayist. He has been a member of the faculty of a number of colleges and universities including Loyola College of Baltimore, University of Virginia, and St. Mary's Seminary and University. He is author of a number of books, many on morality and ethics based on Orthodox Christian teachings. He is currently a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia. He has appeared on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” “Speaking of Faith” and “On Being with Krista Tippett.”

Dr. Guroian writes often about the correlation of gardening and theology, “"I am a Theologian and a college professor. I like being both. But what I really love to do--What I get exquisite pleasure from doing--is to garden. I think thatgardening is nearer to godliness than theology. The Christian knows that while tending the garden there are no easy strolls with God.”

The Lenoir-Rhyne Institute for Faith and Learning endeavors to provide programming that will contribute to and enrich “A culture of the intellect” that is theologically based. The Institute’s programs are directed at Christians of all traditions. For more information on the Institute for Faith and Learning Series, contact Dr. David Ratke at 828-328-7183 or Dr. Jonathan Schwiebert at 828-328-7184.