Grove City College will host more than 60 students and faculty from eight Christian liberal arts colleges later this month for the ninth Annual Intercollegiate Colloquium on the Liberal Arts.
The three-day event runs from Oct. 25 to 28 on campus. The group will explore the theme of friendship as reflected in the work of Aristotle, Cicero, several Biblical writers, St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, poets like George Herbert and artists ranging from Rembrandt to young ladies making friendship quilts in 19th century Philadelphia. It is sponsored by the Lux Mea student group, advised by Dr. Andrew Mitchell, professor of History.
Students and faculty from Grove City College, Geneva College, Messiah College, Eastern University, Waynesburg University, Franciscan University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Regent University will meet for group discussions and a faculty roundtable.
“This event epitomizes what is best about a liberal arts education. Rather than being fixated on the merely utilitarian, this colloquium invites us to read, ponder and discuss questions that our modern world ignores or dismisses – questions of first importance in knowing and living out a humane existence,” Mitchell said.
Keynote speaker Dr. Paul J. Wadell from St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisc., will discuss “Seeking God Together in Christ – Why Friendship Matters (and How It Differs) For Christians” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 in Sticht Lecture Hall in the Hall of Arts and Letters on campus. A livestream, hosted by the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College, of the keynote will be available at: www.gcc.edu/livestream.
The annual colloquium attempts to explore areas of humanity, promote fellowship among Christian colleges and encourage students as they strengthen one another “as iron sharpens iron,” Mitchell said. In past years, the scholars have considered the virtues of temperance and fortitude and the pursuit of love in an age of distractions.
The goal of the Annual Intercollegiate Colloquium on the Liberal Arts is twofold, according to Mitchell.
“First, to remind Grove City College students about the real purpose of a liberal arts education. It’s not about your grade-point average, and it’s not about getting a well-paying job. Rather, it’s about attaining an understanding about who we are as humans, learning how to act wisely in light of that vision and preparing our hearts, bodies and minds to live virtuous lives that glorify God and bless our neighbors,” Mitchell said. “Second, this colloquium is designed to bring together like-minded Christian liberal arts colleges, to show students and faculty that we’re not alone in this world, however dark and foreboding the political, economic, or even ecclesial clouds may appear.”