 |
           |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
December 5, 2001 Transylvania students will have more opportunities to examine how their values and commitments can play a role in determining their profession, thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The five-year, $1.5 million grant--the largest single grant from a private foundation in the University's history--supports the theological exploration of vocation. The program will affect the campus on several levels. For example, in the area of career development, the University will invite former students to serve as mentors for current students interested in similar professions. In the area of extracurricular activities, the University will add a lecture series on civic and social responsibility. Lilly Project Director Charisse Gillett said she is excited about integrating vocation into student life and academics. "Through the Lilly Project, we have a systematic way of introducing students to the concept that what you learn in the classroom is very connected to what you do outside of the classroom both today and in the future." Religion professor Paul Jones said the program will expand and enrich Transy's liberal arts curriculum. "The intention of the proposal in its broadest context is to assist our students in better understanding who they are and how they will choose to live out their values in all of life," he said. The grant will also strengthen Transy's ties with other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) colleges and will allow the University to host "Initiatives on Vocation" symposiums for those colleges. The Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., which supports religious, educational, and charitable causes, is one of the nation's largest private philanthropic organizations. |