Saint Vincent College hosted a group of 55 participants from nine different Benedictine institutions: Benedictine College (Kansas), Benedictine Military School (Georgia), Benedictine University (Illinois), College of Saint Benedict (Minnesota), College of Saint Scholastica (Minnesota), Saint Anslem’s College (New Hampshire), Saint Leo’s University (Florida), University of Mary (North Dakota), and Saint Vincent College to the third annual Benedictine Pedagogy Conference, May 28, 29, and 30 at the Fred M. Rogers Center. The theme of the conference was, “How Do We Orient New Members to Our Benedictine Communities?” Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., welcomed the group Thursday evening at a dinner followed by a sacred music organ recital by Fr. Cyprian Constantine, O.S.B., Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, Saint Vincent College, in the Archabbey Basilica.

Following remarks on Friday morning by Archabbot Douglas and Jim Towey, President of Saint Vincent College, Sister Thomas Welder, O.S.B., retiring President of the University of Mary, offered the keynote address of the conference, “Educating Students for Servant Leadership.”

Sr. Thomas’ talk can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSDcVPmHQYs

The morning session concluded with a panel presented by faculty of Benedictine University who discussed three specific programs at their institutions – “The Person in Community: Writing Colloquium,” by Dr. Jean-Marie Kauth, Writing Director and Assistant Professor of Language and Literature and Dr. Patrick T. Flynn, Director of Core Curriculum and Associate Professor of History, Philosophy and Religious Studies; “New Faculty Mentoring Program,” by Dr. Allison K. Wilson, New Faculty Mentoring Director and Professor of Biology and Dr. John Kevin Doyle, Professor of Business Administration; and “Module in First M.B.A. Course Addresses Benedictine Values,” by Dr. John Kevin Doyle, Professor of Business Administration and Dr. Christine Fletcher, Assistant Professor of Theology.

To begin the afternoon session, Fr. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Saint Vincent College offered a plenary talk, “Educational Philosophy and Legacy of Boniface Wimmer.” This was followed by four presentations: “Extended Orientation of New Faculty to the Mission of the College of St. Scholastica,” by Dr. Beth Domholdt, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Sr. Mary Rochefort, O.S.B., Director of Mission Integration, College of St. Scholastica; “Student Orientation to the Benedictine Tradition: Cor et Anima,” by Betsy Kneepkens, Assistant Dean of Students for Campus Life, and Steve Lyons, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, College of St. Scholastica; “Benedictine College Leadership Seminar,” by Christen R. Jones, Director of Residence Life, Joseph F. Wurtz, Dean of Students, and Linda Henry, Vice President of Student Life, Benedictine College; and “Connecting Benedictine Values and Courses in the Major,” by Dr. Matthew Fisher, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Saint Vincent College.

After dinner, Fr. Brian Boosel, O.S.B., Assistant to the Archabbot and Archivist of Saint Vincent College, presented a plenary talk, “The History of Saint Vincent College.” The conference concluded Saturday morning with breakout sessions on orienting different groups to the Catholic, Benedictine mission, vision and values of our institutions and a presentation, “Propagating the Benedictine Spirit via Education into China and South Korea,” by Donald Su, CEO of Providence Education Services Recruitment Agency.

The conference was sponsored by Saint Vincent College, Benedictine University and the Saint Vincent Science and Theology Forum. The local planning committee was chaired by Dr. Steven Gravelle, Associate Professor of Chemistry and included Fr. Thomas Hart, O.S.B., Assistant to the Archabbot for Mission; Ms. Alice Kaylor, Dean of Studies; Dr. John Smetanka, Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Ms. Julia Cavallo, Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Saint Vincent College will host the fourth annual conference in 2010.

View slideshow from this event

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