Patkai alumni urged to help establish School of Theology

January 21, 2024 25 Views No Comment

Patkai Christian College holds curtain raiser to golden jubilee

Patkai, January 21 (MExN): Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) organised a curtain raiser event to its golden jubilee on Saturday, January 20.

The college, established in 1974, is observing 2024 as the year of jubilee and has planned a series of events over the course of the year as part of its golden jubilee celebration, stated a press release received here.

On Saturday afternoon, alumni, students and faculty and staff – past and present, of the college assembled at Patkai’s Bundrock Chapel to mark the solemn yet cheery occasion.

Rev Dr Tuisem A Shishak, founder and Principal Emeritus, expressed joy at being able to be a part of the golden jubilee celebrations. He also paid tribute to his late wife, Margaret Shishak, who passed away in May 2022. He rued that she was no more there to celebrate the golden jubilee but said, “God must have thought she had done enough. All she needed was rest.”

“As I look back and look at the music department, indeed she has done her job. Perhaps she couldn’t do anymore,” he said.

The 92-year old Rev Shishak however insisted that his job is not done yet. “As I look back, and wonder what Tuisem should still see with his own eyes and then leave, it came back again and again that it will be the faculty of Theology,” he said. “That’s what I want to see.”

To this end, he called upon the alumni to help Patkai establish a school of Theology. “You alumni, I am counting on you. We must have a School of Theology,” he maintained.

He insisted that theology and philosophy must be made an integral part of the curriculum if we are going to build leaders and produce Christian leaders to take charge of the Church and society at large.

The highlights of the day included musical performances from the first batch of music students (1991-1992), Joey Woch (batch of 2000), Bethel Tsuzü (PU Music 1999). Nagaland Conservatory of Music (NCM) also presented a special number with its founder and Chairman, Lipokmar Tzudir (alumnus, batch of 2000) conducting the choir. The Patkai Drama Club also enacted a play on Rev. Shishak’s life leading to the establishment of the college.