October 18-20, 2013 at the University of Scranton

The 23rd Annual LFP National Conference, Faith and Academic  Freedom in Civic Virtue, convened October 18 through 20 at The University of Scranton, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Participants were invited to think about how we as  individuals and faith- based institutions bring the values of faith and academic freedom to the service of civic virtue.  As universities with faith missions, our collective commitment to civic engagement arises  directly from our  devotion to open conversation, ecumenism, and the search for truth, amongst our institutions and in the world beyond our campus boarders.

                                                                                                    

Rev. Mark Ravizza, SJ

Patricia McGuire, Esq.

Rob Kapilow

Three speakers helped spark this dialogue, by presenting three distinct, but ultimately  interrelated narratives.

Rev. Mark Ravizza, S.J., Associate Professor of Philosophy and  Senior Fellow, the  Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara University, gave the first plenary address on Friday afternoon titled, "Inspiring Faith and Engaging Reality:  Education for Civic Virtue in a Secular Age."

Patricia McGuire, Esq., President of Trinity Washington University, inspired conversation Saturday morning with her plenary address, "Civic Virtue  Starts at Home: Faith and Freedom for Institutional  Transformation."

Rob Kapilow, internationally renowned composer, commentator, author, and conductor, presided at the third and final plenary on  Saturday afternoon.

In addition, conference goers had an opportunity to share in an Evening of Jazz, including a pre-concert presentation by Grammy Award-winning writer, acclaimed musician, and jazz  historian Loren Schoenberg and a  special performance featuring The University of Scranton’s Jazz Ensemble and guest soloist and legendary jazz trombonist Wycliffe  Gordon.

The Second Cohort of Lilly Graduate Fellows, which completed its three-year fellowship last year, also attended this year’s National  Conference, beginning with their own Graduate  Fellows Reunion Conference the two days prior to the National Conference.

For more information, see the University of Scranton's conference website.