THE DEAN'S MUSINGS
I recently returned from a conference co-sponsored by the Lilly Foundation and the Council of Independent Colleges. The conference brought together almost one hundred colleges and universities interested in the "theological exploration of vocation."
Maryville College received a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation several years ago to engage in that exploration, and we have enjoyed many benefits from that grant. These benefits include the Initiative on Vocation (led by Dr. Bill Meyer) and the Center for Calling and Career (directed by Mr. Chad Luke)--with strong support from our Center for Campus Ministry (guided by Rev. Anne McKee). The partnership has been very fruitful.
One complication in a discussion concerning "vocation" is the multiple meanings of the word. As an adjective (vocational), it sometimes refers to a kind of education, training persons for a narrowly focused job that has a particular set of skills. In that sense, Maryville College is not a vocational school.
On the other hand, the root meaning of "vocation" is "calling." That meaning is often associated specifically with religious careers, but can be generalized to many kinds of careers and even beyond how one makes a living. As noted at the conference, we may be called to family and citizenship as well as to work.
This led me to think that as we explore vocation at Maryville College, we should be less concerned with the question, "What do I want to do?" as with the question, "Who do I want to be?" The latter question is more fundamental and more difficult to answer. One exercise in helping answer that question may seem a bit macabre, bit I think it is most instructive. Write your own eulogy; consider what you want said about you after you have died. When you have finished your life, how do you want to be remembered? What personal characteristics and behaviors do you want others to associate with you?
If you know who you want to be, then the search for an appropriate life that will support that view becomes easier. In fact, there are many pathways to any particular end, and if you are the person you want to be, any particular job you perform will be secondary. Perhaps one of the missions of Maryville College is to make you the very best you that you can be.
Maryville College received a generous grant from the Lilly Foundation several years ago to engage in that exploration, and we have enjoyed many benefits from that grant. These benefits include the Initiative on Vocation (led by Dr. Bill Meyer) and the Center for Calling and Career (directed by Mr. Chad Luke)--with strong support from our Center for Campus Ministry (guided by Rev. Anne McKee). The partnership has been very fruitful.
One complication in a discussion concerning "vocation" is the multiple meanings of the word. As an adjective (vocational), it sometimes refers to a kind of education, training persons for a narrowly focused job that has a particular set of skills. In that sense, Maryville College is not a vocational school.
On the other hand, the root meaning of "vocation" is "calling." That meaning is often associated specifically with religious careers, but can be generalized to many kinds of careers and even beyond how one makes a living. As noted at the conference, we may be called to family and citizenship as well as to work.
This led me to think that as we explore vocation at Maryville College, we should be less concerned with the question, "What do I want to do?" as with the question, "Who do I want to be?" The latter question is more fundamental and more difficult to answer. One exercise in helping answer that question may seem a bit macabre, bit I think it is most instructive. Write your own eulogy; consider what you want said about you after you have died. When you have finished your life, how do you want to be remembered? What personal characteristics and behaviors do you want others to associate with you?
If you know who you want to be, then the search for an appropriate life that will support that view becomes easier. In fact, there are many pathways to any particular end, and if you are the person you want to be, any particular job you perform will be secondary. Perhaps one of the missions of Maryville College is to make you the very best you that you can be.
Jeff Fager
Vice President and Dean of the College
Vice President and Dean of the College
