Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis is the recipient of an Interfaith Leadership and Religious Literacy Program Area grant from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Titled “Creating Opportunities for University Interfaith Engagement,” the award of $102,363 will allow us to create space for courageous multi-faith conversations and collaborations on our campus, helping our students feel welcomed, supported and prepared to enter a world of religious diversity. It will also enable us to offer a toolkit for interfaith engagement on our campus and in our wider spiritual community.

“The University of St. Francis is committed to its mission of being a welcoming community of learners that seeks to equip its students for lives of service and leadership throughout the world,” said Abigail Gomulkiewicz, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at USF and project investigator for the grant. “Our recent grant from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations supports the continuation of this mission through creating a space for learning techniques of listening and tools of engagement with people with different beliefs,” Gomulkiewicz said.

Gomulkiewicz is joined by a steering committee that includes faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences and administration from Academic Affairs and Mission Integration with the support of Grant Manager Jonathan Shinabarger. Their goals include increased religious literacy and conversation among faculty and students about faith as well as increased confidence in students’ ability to thoughtfully and intentionally engage people with diverse values and perspectives in respectful dialogue. The team plans to meet the objectives of the grant with the following activities:

• Research in the form of surveys and listening sessions to gather information about the needs of people from various faith communities on campus
• Support for the formation of student-led faith clubs with faculty mentorship
• A new course to engage students in courageous multi-faith conversations
• Professional development workshops for faculty, staff, and administration
• Interfaith Dinner Conversations with religious leaders from the local community

“Per its mission, the College of Arts & Sciences ‘takes a leadership role in the University in liberal education and developing in its students the knowledge, dispositions, critical and analytical thought that are necessary for lifelong learning and engaged citizenship in the global community,’” said Elizabeth McDermott, Ph.D., Dean of the USF College of Arts & Sciences. “We are grateful to The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations for the opportunity to collaborate across departments and divisions for the benefit of our students and campus community,” said McDermott.

About the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations were organized in 1952 and are supported by two trusts established by Mr. Arthur Vining Davis. The Foundations aim to bear witness to Mr. Davis’ successful corporate leadership and his ambitious philanthropic vision. Since their inception, the Foundations have given over 4,600 grants totaling more than $385 million to support inclusive higher education and healthcare, high-quality public media, vibrant spiritual communities, and a clean environment. In supporting these sectors, the Foundations are investing in our common future. Learn more at avdf.org.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 3,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 53,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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