The Lilly Project at Willamette University
Faculty Opportunities
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 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.
- Faculty Research Grants
- Faculty Grants for Curricular Enhancement for the Exploration of Vocation
- Visiting Scholars Program - Departmental Requests
- Visiting Scholars Program - Individual Requests
- Exploration of Faculty Vocation - New Faculty Development Program
Faculty Research Grants
The Lilly Project provides stipends for summer research and creative projects related to the exploration of vocation. Grants of $3000 are available to all Willamette University faculty. The goal of these grants is to promote scholarly and creative activity that explores a wider understanding of vocation as the way in which our gifts, skills and commitments find expression in the world through work, study, service, and other human activities. Proposals should have the intent of seeking outcomes that include presentation outside the campus (publication, exhibition), as well as furthering the conversation about vocation on campus. Priority will be given to proposals that show promise of ongoing contributions to the Willamette community.
Eligibility, Guidelines and Evaluation Material
Evaluation Criteria: (1) Depth of engagement with the themes of theological, ethical and/or spiritual exploration of vocation. (2) Quality of the proposal with respect to planning and articulation of purpose. (3) Value to the Willamette community, the profession and the Lilly Project. (4) Promise of far-reaching impact on the Willamette community.
Application Materials
Deadline: Continuous. (The Lilly Advisory Board accepts proposals for faculty projects on an on-going basis)
Contact Information: Karen L. Wood, Director (503-370-6213)
For More Information: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/lilly/facres.html
Faculty Grants for Curricular Enhancement for the Exploration of Vocation
The Lilly Project provides grants for Willamette University faculty to develop new courses related to vocation or to significantly enhance already existing courses to explore the themes of vocation, calling and lived purpose. Summer grants of $2000 are available each year of the Lilly Project.
Eligibility, Guidelines and Evaluation Material
Evaluation Criteria: (1) Depth of engagement with the themes of theological, ethical and/or spiritual exploration of vocation. (2) Anticipated number of students affected (priority will be given to lower division courses and those linked to General Education). (3) Connectivity/Integration with departmental and CLA offerings. (4) We encourage interdisciplinary and team-taught courses.
Application Materials
Deadline: Continuous (The Lilly Advisory Board accepts proposals for faculty projects on an on-going basis)
Contact Information: Karen L. Wood, Director (503-370-6213)
For More Information: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/lilly/faccourse.html
Visiting Scholars Program - Departmental Requests
The Lilly Project has designated $80,000 in funding for academic departments to bring visiting scholars to campus. Visiting scholars are expected to contribute to the conversation about vocation on campus in a way that is appropriate to their discipline. Nominations for visiting scholars are to be proposed by academic departments; up to $4000 in funding is available to departments for each scholar. Collaboration between departments is strongly encouraged. Applications, addressed to the Lilly Advisory Board, should include: (1) A letter endorsing the proposed scholar; (2) The proposed scholar’s CV; (3) Topics/classes to be addressed; (4) Description of how the scholar will address ethical or vocational issues on campus; (5) A budget, including travel, lodging and honorarium.
Application Materials
Deadline: Continuous (The Lilly Advisory Board accepts proposals for faculty projects on an on-going basis). Applications may be submitted electronically to kwood@willamette.edu.
Contact Information: Karen L. Wood, Director (503-370-6213)
Visiting Scholars Program - Individual Requests
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. The visiting scholar receives a $2000 honorarium plus all expenses for travel, food and lodging.
Eligibility, Guidelines and Evaluation Material
Nominations for Lilly Visiting Scholars should address the following: (1) How would this scholar enhance the learning in these courses? (2) What might they add to the discussion about vocation on campus? (3) 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.
Application Materials
Deadline: Continuous (The Lilly Advisory Board accepts proposals for faculty projects on an on-going basis). Applications may be submitted electronically to kwood@willamette.edu.
Contact Information: Karen L. Wood, Director (503-370-6213)
For More Information: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/lilly/visitingscholar.html
Exploration of Faculty Vocation - New Faculty Development Program
In the last few years, as a result of expansion and replacement hires, Willamette has witnessed an unprecedented influx of new faculty members, constituting nearly one third of the undergraduate college. In order to provide opportunities for new faculty to explore their vocations as professors in a liberal arts college, the Lilly Project has designated funding for programs for new faculty development. Proposals for programs, which might include but are not limited to retreats, mentoring programs, targeted workshops, seminars, and research, may be submitted to the CLA Dean’s Office.
Eligibility, Guidelines and Evaluation Material
(1) A 2-3 page narrative describing the goals and activities to be undertaken, including assessment and the timeframe for completion; (2) connections to issues of faculty vocation; (3) a budget. Note that successful proposals will be allocated a small stipend for the author/organizer ($500). Proposals should be submitted to the CLA Dean’s Office, and will be considered on a rolling basis as long as funding lasts. Funding decisions will be made by the CLA Dean’s Office in consultation with the Director of the Lilly Project at Willamette. Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: (1) Significance and depth of potential insights to be generated regarding faculty vocation; (2) number of faculty members involved (this does not mean single-person initiatives will not be funded, but that proposals involving pairs or groups of faculty members will be favored); (3) budgetary efficiency.
Application Materials
Deadline: Continuous (The Dean's office will accept proposals for new faculty development projects on an on-going basis).
Contact Information: Marlene Moore Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (503-370-6285)