Gordon in the News: last updated 10/24/2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT
Calen Rubin
Office of College Communications
978.867.4235
[email protected]
WENHAM, MA- From the beginning, Gordon College was considered "a school of Christ." Through its nearly 120-year history, that vision has not changed and now has been captured in a new documentary film with the same name. Produced by Gordon College and Lamp Post Media of Beverly, MA, Gordon College: A School of Christ chronicles the life of founder, Adoniram Judson Gordon and the formation of the College. Its first public screening will take place Friday, October 10 during the Homecoming Convocation service.
A School of Christ tells the story of A.J. Gordon and his vision for reaching the world from Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, where he served as the church's first pastor and established a missionary training institute in 1889. Through a variety of historic photos and film clips from the College archives as well as interviews with key members of the Gordon community such as current president R. Judson Carlberg, former president Richard Gross, and Gordon-Conwell professor Scott Gibson, a leading expert on A.J. Gordon, the film also highlights the formative years of the College as it has grown into today's academic institution, while staying true to Gordon's vision.
"The fact that, over a 118-119 year history, we have remained committed to a firm foundation in Jesus Christ, A.J. Gordon would love that," President Carlberg says in the film.
The filmmaking process began in the fall of 2007 when Provost Mark Sargent, and Academic Dean Kina Mallard, approached Chris Gilbert of Lamp Post Media to capture Gordon's history. They wanted a film that would recount Gordon's history as an educational tool for prospective students, professors, and donors as well as those currently involved with Gordon. Along with a team of communication arts alumni, Gilbert, a veteran filmmaker and international video-journalist, drew from dozens of interviews, hundreds of archival photos, and numerous articles, papers and files to create the 18-minute film. David Grimes, a composer who has scored several PBS documentaries, created the musical score for the film.
"Gordon College is still producing the kind of students consistent with A.J. Gordon's vision," said Dan Tymann, executive vice president for advancement, communication and technology. "This film reflects that early and ongoing commitment and is great for alumni, for example, because the school they donate to today is still the same school they once attended."
Gordon College: A School of Christ will be shown for the first time on October 10 at 10:25 a.m. during the Homecoming Convocation service in the A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel. This event is free and open to the public.
For information, or to request an interview, please contact Calen Rubin in the Office of College Communication at [email protected] or 978.867.4235.
Gordon College is a Christian college of the liberal arts and sciences on Boston's North Shore. The college offers majors in 37 fields and has graduate programs in education and music education. Leading the way in Christian college merit, Gordon is nationally ranked for its excellence in academics and its role in character building. These achievements recognize Gordon as one of the nation's top Christian colleges.
