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Photo by Lin David Hoekema joined students for a discussion on being a friend to gay or lesbian people.

This year, dorm resident directors and David Hoekema, acting vice president of Student Life, brainstormed ways to promote community on campus. One idea they thought up was campus-wide Late Nights. The project is not affiliated with the residence hall Late Nights, but a separate endeavor that is being offered in April.

The theme for the month is friendship. Hoekema describes the purpose of the theme as: “How to find friends, cultivate good relationships, challenge your friends when they need it, support them when they turn to you for help, and how to ensure that friends contribute to, but don’t run your life.” He chose friendship as the theme because “lots of the best and worst parts of college involve friendships. Friendship is also an umbrella topic that can cover a large variety of issues.”

On Tuesday, April 6, Chaplain Dale Cooper was scheduled to begin the series by giving a talk on how to be a friend in Christ by examining what joins people belonging to Christ, what it means to be a friend, and how to cultivate friendships. “My talk was to be a spring board for the rest of the discussion,” said Cooper. Unfortunately, no one showed up for the opening Late Night. But Cooper is optimistic: “The best is yet to come.”

Unfortunately, no one showed up for the opening Late Night. But Cooper is optimistic: “The best is yet to come.”

Sophomore Julie Habel said, “I think one of the reasons that no one came to the first Late Night is because it wasn’t advertised very well.” The fact that other dorms still held their regular Late Night is part of what detracted from the attention. BHT also held a special Sexual Assault Late Night Series which drew a crowd.

Hoekema said, “Most of the regular dorm activities are still being held, because I don’t want to undermine the other Late Nights. I want to supplement the student programs on campus.”

The second Late Night, on April 13, was titled “Being a friend to a gay or lesbian person.” The discussion was led by Darlene Meyering, director of Public Relations. Meyering recently helped organize an interdenominational series in Grand Rapids involving ministry to gays and lesbians.

Hoekema said, “I was hoping for more dialogue among non-gay/lesbian students who had questions or concerns on the topic, but I still think that the discussion went well.”

The next discussion will be April 20. Bob Reed, Broene Center Counselor, will give a talk on knowing how to be a friend during times of crisis, and the last Late Night will be led by Bill Paxton, executive director of Pathfinder Resources, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Paxton will be talking about being a friend to someone struggling with an addiction.