The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University welcomed representatives from nine other higher ed institutions for the annual Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities (ABCU) conference, June 24-26. The conference included the Benedictine Leadership Formation Institute, the Benedictine Pedagogy Conference and ABCU annual meetings. 

“This gathering is a testament to the enduring power and relevance of Benedictine education in today’s world,” Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s President Brian Bruess said as he welcomed attendees.  

That theme extended throughout the conference, with sessions focused on applying The Rule of Benedict to one’s life and work, connecting The Rule with values held by Gen Z and Benedictine approaches to employee onboarding. Other sessions explored topics such as experiential learning, living and learning communities, and diversity, equity and inclusion. 

“At our Benedictine colleges and universities, we don’t need to be reinventing the wheel,” the Rev. Paul Taylor, OSB, president of Saint Vincent College, said in his closing keynote address. “Our (Benedictine) stability rule, our history, our tradition, our faith – along with adaptability … that’s precisely all we need to fulfil our mission.” 

In the conference’s opening keynote, Sister Michaela Hedican, OSB, director of mission advancement for Saint Benedict’s Monastery, spoke of how a love of learning can deepen one’s desire for God.  

“(We are given) an invitation to discover and tend the desire for God, which is awakened and deepened by learning in our lives and in the lives of those we serve,” she said. “Exemplifying that for our students and encouraging them to engage in the discipline required for learning is a treasured gift we offer them by our example.” 

In addition to faculty, staff and administrators from Saint Ben’s (CSB) and Saint John’s (SJU), conference participants represented Benedictine University, the College of St. Scholastica, Donnelly College, Mount Marty University, Saint Anselm College, Saint Leo University, Saint Martin’s University, Saint Vincent College and the University of Mary. 

Session presenters included CSB and SJU professors Adam Kluck, Kathryn Droske, Brittany Merritt Nash and Rodger Narloch, director of the Benedictine Institute; Jessie Bazan, OblOSB, associate director of the Benedictine Institute; Valerie Jones, CSB executive director of alumnae relations; Sydney Andringa, executive assistant of CSB Institutional Advancement; Dan Whalen, president of the Whalen Family Foundation and member of the CSB and SJU boards of trustees; Sandra Mitchel, CSB and SJU senior diversity officer; Kathleen Norris, OblOSB; Marcus Long, OblOSB, president of Mount Marty University; Sophia Geng, Saint Vincent College professor; Walter Baehrend, Benedictine University professor; Jeremy Delamarter, Saint Martin’s University professor; and University of Mary professors Mike Taylor and Chad Prososki. 

Conference participants were invited to participate in Lectio Divina and midday prayer, and were led by sisters from Saint Benedict’s Monastery on tours of the Art and Heritage Place, Sacred Heart Chapel and the monastic cemetery, the final resting place for Mother Benedicta Riepp, OSB, the foundress of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and of Benedictine women in America. The conference also included social and networking opportunities, including a trivia and cider event at Milk and Honey Ciders.