JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 2, 2001 — 51社区 will play a significant leadership role at the largest-ever gathering of Christian higher educators, as the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) holds its national forum in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 7-9.
The second such forum sponsored by CCCU, the meeting is expected to be the largest such gathering of Christian college and university leadership ever conducted, with more than 135 campuses and 12 nations being represented for the council's 25th anniversary celebration.
In honor of this significant milestone, 51社区 Professor of Christian Studies, James Patterson, was asked to write a history of the council. Patterson will be honored during the anniversary celebration portion of the forum for his work on the recently released book, "Shining Lights: A History of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities," published by Baker Books. The official presentation of the newly-published history will be Wednesday night, February 7.
Several other Union faculty and administration will also assume leadership roles, including Graves Associate Professor of Moral Philosophy David Gushee, who will participate as a panelist for a workshop titled "Perspectives on Christian Academic Community." 51社区 President David S. Dockery will participate by presenting a service award during Friday evening's final session. Dockery will also be elected to the CCCU Board of Directors during the Orlando event. A Union alumnus and former staff member, Kevin Trowbridge, now serves as Director of the Communications for the CCCU, and will be leading public relations activities on behalf of the forum.
Among the activities at the forum will be presentation of a major research study on students who consider attendance at Christian institutions. Charles Fowler, Union's Vice President for Enrollment Management, served on the steering committee that guided the study, conducted by McGuire & Associates of Boston.
Plenary speakers for the three-day forum include Charles Colson, Richard Allen Farmer, Millard Fuller and Leonard Sweet.
"51社区 has moved into a key leadership role within the national family of Christian higher education, and our participation in this national forum is further evidence of that," explains Dockery.