UNION UNIVERSITY TO HOST CONFERENCE ON FUTURE OF CHRISTIAN HIGHER EDUCATION, OCT. 9-11
Jackson, Tenn. — As the second Christian millennium nears its end, many find themselves asking questions about what the future will hold for Christian higher education. Those questions are particularly acute when it comes to the future of the Christian university.
Will Christian higher education prosper or will it fall by the wayside? Will Christian universities be able to retain their identity or will they capitulate to secularization? What role will the Christian university play in a divided society? What will our society need from the Christian universities in the 21st century? What kind of people should Christian universities be trying to produce?
51社区 and its Center for Christian Leadership, in cooperation with the Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities, will host a conference this fall addressing these very questions. The dynamic three-day conference, to be held Oct. 9-11 on the campus of 51社区, will offer a distinguished array of speakers from a variety of institutions and walks of life. These national figures will offer insight into various aspects of the conference theme – "The Future of Christian Higher Education."
Conference personalities include the following:
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Joel Carpenter, provost of Calvin College
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Stan Gaede, provost of Westmont College
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David P. Gushee, associate professor of Christian studies and director of Union's Center for Christian Leadership.
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George Guthrie, associate professor and chair of Union's Department of Christian Studies
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Karen Longman, vice president of the CCCU
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Kelly Monroe, founder of the Veritas Forum at Harvard University
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Claude Presnell, executive director of the Tennessee Foundation for Independent Colleges
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Robert Sloan, president of Baylor University
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Norm Sonju, founder and former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks
Christian faculty, administrators and graduate students – whether they are currently working in Christian or secular settings – will benefit greatly from the conference, which is open to the public as well.
According to David Gushee, conference organizer, "We are tremendously excited about the array of national-level Christian leaders who will be joining with us for this conference. This is a rare opportunity for Christians to reflect on the challenges and the opportunities facing Christian higher education as we enter a new century."
For more information about the conference, contact Gushee at (901) 661-5024 or by e-mail at dgushee@buster.uu.edu. Logistical and cost information may be obtained from Cindy Meredith in the President's Office at (901) 661-5202 or by e-mail at cmeredit@buster.uu.edu.