Benedictine conference comes to SJU and CSB June 1-4

If you notice a silver hue falling over the Saint John’s University and College of Saint Benedict campuses in early June, there’s a good reason.

The Association of Benedictine Colleges and Universities (ABCU) will hold its 25th Anniversary Celebration at SJU and CSB June 1-4.

The association consists of 14 Benedictine colleges and universities, located in 11 U.S. states and one Canadian province. Minnesota has the largest representation, with three schools — CSB, SJU and the College of St. Scholastica from Duluth.

The theme of the conference is “Educating in the Benedictine Context: What Does it Mean? Why Does it Matter?” Conference speakers, including key Benedictine leaders, will invite participants to consider more deeply what it means to lead and be Benedictine centers of Catholic higher education and why it matters.

Several administrators and faculty members from SJU and CSB will take part in panel discussions at the conference, including CSB President Mary Dana Hinton and Rodger Narloch, professor of psychology at CSB and SJU who has been appointed director of the Benedictine Institute at SJU beginning July 1. Abbot John Klassen, OSB, of Saint John’s Abbey will also participate in a panel discussion.

SJU President Michael Hemesath is a member of the ABCU’s five-person executive committee.