Current Events
A New Center for Sikh Studies in Claremont, California
NEWS REPORT
On Friday, February 1, 2013, Claremont Lincoln University leaders in Calemont, California, USA, were joined by distinguished members of Southern California’s Sikh-American community and over 60 invited guests, to inaugurate the Center for Sikh Studies.
The new Center will raise awareness, recognition, and understanding of Sikhism - the 5th largest religion in the world, and provide a site for meaningful inter-religious dialogue.
The need for creating further awareness about Sikhism in America was envisioned by Dr. Harvinder Singh Sahota, a world-renowned cardiologist and inventor of the Perfusion Angioplasty Balloon, and Harry Sidhu, Orange County Water District Director and Former Anaheim Mayor Pro Tem.
Their sustained efforts found equally dedicated partners in Claremont Lincoln President, Rev. Dr. Jerry Campbell, and Provost, Dr. Phillip Clayton. During the inauguration, Dr. Campbell and Dr. Clayton were presented with ceremonial siropas by prominent Sikh-American businessman, Harbhajan Singh Samra and Sir Eldon Griffiths, a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister from the United Kingdom.
Claremont Lincoln University was also presented with portraits of the first and tenth Gurus, two of the revered founders of Sikhism.
An appeal was made for continued support from the Sikh-American community to help sustain and advance the Center in achieving the following goals:
1 Offering two or more Sikh Studies courses per year;
2 Hiring more faculty to be able to offer an accredited M.A. degree in Sikh Studies;
3 Offering online academic courses to serve students across North America and worldwide;
4 Offering adult education courses on Sikhs and Sikhism;
5 Offering opportunities for the Southern California Sikh-American community to benefit from activities at Claremont Lincoln University and helping Claremont Lincoln students visit local Sikh gurdwaras;
6 Arranging for travel and study programs to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab and other important sites in Punjab and the subcontinent; and
7 Encouraging networking between Claremont Lincoln’s Sikh Studies programs at other universities in North America.
[Courtesy: Claremont Lincoln University]
February 11, 2013
Conversation about this article
1: Chintan Singh (San Jose, California, USA), February 11, 2013, 5:49 PM.
Great inititative. Congratulations to Dr. Harvinder Singh Sahota and his friends. I truly pray that the university finds a way to implement each of the seven goals set out for them. They are all great projects.
2: Gurpreet Singh (Pennington, New Jersey, USA), February 11, 2013, 6:57 PM.
In the past we know certain Sikh Studies programs and Chairs have caused problems. How do we know this will be any different? What readings will be presented in the syllabi for students studying the subject? Who will those writers be?