Thursday, May 29 - Saturday, May 31, 2008
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL:

Sponsored by
Benedictine University
Marmion Academy
St. Anselm College
St. Vincent College

Benedictine higher education is committed to providing a liberal arts education within a Catholic and Benedictine heritage and tradition. Guiding the values of our institutions is the Rule of St Benedict. As stated in the commitment as stated by the ABCU (Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities, we "strive to promote the common good of Church and society and assist individuals to lead lives of balance, generosity and integrity."

For the past couple of years, our institutions have been discussing the significance of a common set of values or "hallmarks." Although each school is considered autonomous, a trait of Benedictine monasticism, we have all been working develop a common identity based on the values described in St. Benedict's Rule. The hallmarks created by the ABCU -- love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline, humility, stewardship, hospitality and community - provide a commonality between our schools as well as an opportunity for discussion. Each school is given the opportunity to develop these values in term and action, in the manner best suited for their institution. All schools, however, provide an opportunity to share in the Catholic intellectual tradition with fidelity to the values of a Benedictine heritage in which each member of the community can grow as an individual in community, personal spirituality and in communion with God.

The Second Annual Benedictine Pedagogy Conference serves to provide an opportunity for

· Support and exchange of ideas in the area of Catholic and Benedictine education.
· Demonstrate support among faculty, administration and staff for common educational and spiritual goals.
· Develop collaborative relationship between Benedictine academic institutions.
· Address key issues regarding our institutions today in respect to maintaining a clear Catholic and Benedictine identity.

Topics for paper presentation and discussion include but are not limited to those incorporating an explicit or implicit reflection of Christianity and its meaning to our Benedictine institutions, impact of the Benedictine Hallmarks and our Catholic faith on the institution, incorporation of Catholic faith and Benedictine values on research, curriculum and activities (student and faculty based), and institutional commitment to service. Questions to consider:

· What do you see as the impact of a particularly Catholic and Benedictine education on you, your career and your spirituality?
· As Benedictine pedagogues, how do we witness our university's mission through teaching, research, and modeling?
· What are the expectations of administrators regarding the Catholic and Benedictine nature of the university? How and why should they "witness" to the Catholic and Benedictine mission of the institution?

Panel discussions will discuss these issues at varying administrative and curricular levels. Discipline specific discussions in the areas of liberal arts, science, education, business, and health science will provide practical resources on how they may be reflected within the curriculum, student activities and environment.

ATTENDEE PAPER OR PANEL SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES: In order to allow time for collegial discussion, papers should be relatively short -- five (5) pages, double spaced. Each paper accepted must develop the conference theme in some way. Scholarly papers of up to ten (10) pages may later be submitted for publication in our peer-reviewed 'Proceedings', but only short papers may be read at the conference. Paper proposals must include name, institutional affiliation, addresses, e-mail, and contact phone numbers of presenters as well as a title and a one-paragraph abstract. Paper submissions will consist of the title and abstract but presenters are expected to arrive at the conference with a completed paper. Early submission before (date) increases your chances of acceptance.

ATTENDEE PANEL PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS: Panel proposals must develop the conference theme in some way. Each panel should consist of three to five panelists. The proposal should include the title of the panel, names of the presenters, institutional affiliations, addresses, email and contact phone numbers of all panelists. Conference organizers may form or complete panels from individual submissions.

Proposals must be submitted electronically with your registration form via the conference website at www.ben.edu/cmi by April 30, 2008. Presenters will be contacted by April 15, 2008. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Alicia Cordoba Tait, conference coordinator: atait@ben.edu.

VOLUNTEERS FOR PANEL CHAIRS, who are interested in serving only as introducers and discussion initiators, will be happily accepted. If you wish to volunteer, see the online registration form. Only organizers of panels may serve as chairs and presenters at the same time; all other chairs may not present at the same panel.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
REGISTRATION FEE: $ 300.00 per institution (two or more individuals from the same institution), $175 per individual, or $100 for students . Payment forms will be sent to you in mid-March. Conference registration forms and/or payments must be received by April 30, 2008.