Attendees will explore how to build on the connectional nature of the Presbyterian church, sharing in discernment, mission, and theological exploration activities beyond the life of these grants. 

Participating colleges include: Alma College, College of Wooster, Davidson College, Hanover College, Mcalester College, Maryville College, and Whitworth College. 

Representatives of the Presbyterian Church (USA) offices for Vocation, Theological Education, national volunteers, members of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, and the vice president of the Fund for Theological Education will be in attendance.

Two special guests will perform at the workshop. Ted Kooser, former U.S. Poet Laureate, will offer a poetry reading Friday at 8 p.m., and David LaMotte, singer/songwriter and life-long Presbyterian, will perform Saturday at 8 p.m. 

Participants will review five essays, each presenting questions and/or reflections on the role of Presbyterian higher education as it pertains to the character of the Millennial generation, the challenges of the world and the changing nature of post-secondary education in church-related colleges. 

Essayists include Kim Maphis-Early, Director of the PTEV initiative; Michelle Bartel, former chaplain of Hanover College; Gary Luhr, executive director of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities; Nancy Duff, Stephen Colwell associate professor of Christian ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary; and Rick Ufford-Chase, former moderator of the PCUSA and executive director of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.

In 2002, Hastings College received a $1.97 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., to implement the Vocation and Values Program over a five-year period. The college was one of 39 college and universities across the country selected to receive the grant.

Rev. Dr. Trace Haythorn and Rev. Dr. Jean Heriot direct the program at Hastings College.

For further information regarding the conference, contact Haythorn at
(402) 461-7769.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to 1,110 students. The college was cited among top liberal arts colleges, national bachelor’s category, in U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Colleges 2008, and named a “best Midwestern college” by The Princeton Review 2008 Best Colleges: Region by Region, and was cited as a top liberal arts college in Nebraska by Washington Monthly magazine. Hastings College is celebrating its 125th anniversary during the 2007-08 academic year.
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