Every summer, members of the National Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU), gather at Augsburg University in Minnesota for the Vocation of Lutheran Higher Education Conference. There they explore the many ways in which Lutheran values can play an active role in the realm of higher education—values like civic engagement and service to neighbor. 

This year’s theme, “Beyond Walls, For the Common Good: Lutheran Higher Education and Civic Responsibility,” challenged participants to step beyond the worldly walls of campus, culture, and comfort in order to rediscover how the core values of faith and sharing “good news” shapes our shared responsibility for the world—a timely discussion in an age marked by polarization, inequality, and public distrust.

Representing TLU at the conference were Director of International Education Charla Bailey, Director of Counseling and Accommodation Services Sarah Westerfield, and Associate Professor of Psychology and Social Sciences Division Chair Dr. Beth Woods. Attending on behalf of the President’s Cabinet were Campus Pastor and Director of Community Engagement and Mission Rev. Dr. Wes Cain, Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Chris Mueller, and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Steve Vrooman. Meanwhile, Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. William O’Brochta, along with students Emma Bohmann (junior, English studies, theology) and Andie Lozano-Lomeli (senior, communications studies, political science) took part as well, as they were invited by conference organizers to present a session based upon their work, entitled “Sustaining Campus as a Civic Community.” Their presentation offered conference attendees insight into how a clear focus on Lutheran values can invite all students into an on-campus civic community in a lasting way.

“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the VLHE Conference with such a strong group of colleagues and students,” said Westerfield. “I am invigorated by the call to engage in moral discernment and service as a campus community.”

This year marked the thirty-first anniversary of the conference, which featured keynote speakers Dr. Anthony Bateza, associate professor and department chair at St. Olaf College; Jon Pahl, author and professor at United Lutheran Seminary; and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, president of Augustana University.

“The VLHE conference provided a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues from sister Lutheran universities, to learn about their study abroad programs, and discuss how we can collaborate to send more students abroad,” said Bailey. “More broadly, I appreciated hearing about how we can all work together to be more resilient in these changing times.”