From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

Expert on Sex Trafficking, AIDS Issues speaks at Taylor

11.06.2009

Dr. JoAnne Lyon, a recognized authority in issues related to sexual trafficking and AIDS, will speak Dr. JoAnne Lyonin chapel and for several classes at Taylor University on Monday, November 9.

Lyon, general superintendent of the Wesleyan Church Ministry, is also a leader in advocacy, microenterprise and international aid. She is the founder of World Hope International (WHI), an organization that has been in operation for over a decade.

According to its Web site, WHI is a faith based relief and development organization alleviating suffering and injustice through education, enterprise and community health. WHI is currently providing support to programs in 25 countries. WHI sponsored and provided approximately 4,000 children from 15 different countries with schooling, food and other necessities. This organization has provided anti-trafficking training for over 41,000 law enforcement officers in Sierra Leone and more than 700 in Liberia. WHI also started the Reach4Life program, which is a 40 week HIV/AIDS prevention program for African teens and young adults. Reach4Life has reached over 71,000 students.

Lyon earned her bachelor's degree in education from the University of Cincinnati and then her master's degree in counseling from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

She has holds three honorary doctorates from United Wesleyan College, Southern Wesleyan University and Indiana Wesleyan University. Lyon, along with two other general superintendents, now holds the highest elected office in the Wesleyan denomination. She was ordained by the Wesleyan Church in 1996, and she is one of three general superintendents for the Wesleyan Church. She is also an adjunct professor of Church and Society at Asbury Theological Seminary and IWU. Lyon is married and has four children.

Lyon will be the guest speaker at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 9, during chapel in the Rediger Chapel/Auditorium. She will also speak at 11:00 a.m. on communicating cross-culturally and at 1:00 p.m. on gender communication - both sessions will take place in the Mitchell Theatre. There will also be an informal opportunity for students to interact with Lyon at 2:00 p.m. in the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) conference room.

"It will be a great day of expanding Taylor's international connections," said Taylor professor Jeanne Sigworth, the coordinator of Lyon's campus visit. "The goal of her visit - beyond speaking - is to help Taylor develop effective and balanced global initiatives and centers that encompass internships and global engagement of tangible and measurable value."

Stephanie Leis

 

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2010 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's third straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.
 
Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).