Visiting Scholars

Introduction

The Lilly Project for the Theological, Spiritual and Ethical Exploration of Vocation is a university-wide program dedicated to helping students to engage the larger questions of meaning and purpose, and to discern their vocation -- their calling in life. Funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the Lilly Project is embedded in the intellectual and residential life of the university, offering opportunities for members of the community to consider issues of vocation, service, meaning-making and life choices through a variety of academic and co-curricular programs.

Vocation, as we are using it in the context of the Lilly Project at Willamette, does not mean strictly religious vocations; neither does it refer to building a skilled workforce. Rather, it means the way in which we live out our passions in the world, the way in which our values, our commitments and our beliefs are embodied in our choices about work, about family, about our political and social lives. Exploring vocation means talking about engaging the larger questions of meaning and purpose, questions that, we hope, inform students’ decisions and shape their lives, both during their time here and after graduation. We are talking about vocation in the context of a liberal arts education, one that opens up choices and options, one that teaches students how to think critically, inquire freely, lead wisely, serve generously and live with integrity.

Visiting Scholars

The Lilly Project at Willamette University has allocated funding for 2 visiting scholars to come to campus for a week (5 days) each year. The visiting scholar is expected to assist with at least one course, give a public lecture or workshop or other presentation addressing the issue of vocation (as appropriate to her or his discipline), and to meet with students in a number of settings.

Nominations for Lilly Visiting Scholars should address the following:

• How would this scholar enhance the learning in these courses?
• What might they add to the discussion about vocation on campus?
• In what context do they plan to do this (lecture, workshop, etc.)?

The Lilly Advisory Board will decide upon visiting scholar appointments, and Lilly staff will work with the faculty member to arrange for invitation, travel and other logistical matters.

The visiting scholar receives a $2000 honorarium plus all expenses for travel, food and lodging.