Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium

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Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026

The 2026 Faith, Reason, and World Affairs Symposium invites participants to explore the transformative power of vocation — from personal passion to purposeful action. We will explore how Lutheran higher education helps students and communities discover purpose, cultivate well-being, and pursue lives of meaning in a globally connected world.

This year's symposium is chaired by Dr. Stefanie Meyer, wellness director and assistant professor of nutrition, dietetics, and exercise science. The symposium is free and open to the public.

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore

Dr. Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore has multiple and sometimes conflicting callings, but the prominent one behind her keynote is her most recent book, “Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies about Calling” (Oxford University Press). Her 35 years of teaching and 20+ years as the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor Emeritus of Religion, Psychology, and Culture at Vanderbilt University afforded her the wonderful opportunity to hear people’s struggles over their calling and to explore callings across the life course, including among children and mothers. It also gave her the opportunity to author, co-author, and edit 18 books, as well as more than 100 chapters and articles, and led to her international recognition as a leader in pastoral and practical theologies and women and childhood studies. As the mother of three sons, now in their 30s and producing grandsons, and someone with growing commitments to the environment, she always has questions as she tries to discern and follow her calling faithfully.

Symposium Schedule

9:15-10 a.m.

Interactive Sessions

Various Locations TBA

  • Campus Prayer Walk
  • "Nourishing During Your Vocational Journey: The Importance of Mindfulness Even at Mealtime"
  • "Let's Jam"

10-10:15 a.m.

Refreshments

Memorial Auditorium

10:15-11:45 a.m.

Opening Plenary Session

Memorial Auditorium

  • Welcome by President Irvine
  • Keynote address by Dr. Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore: "Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies About Calling"
  • Followed by a conversation with the speaker and Dr. Michael Chan
Noon Lunch Break

1:15-2 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

Various Locations TBA

  • "What If Your Major Doesn’t Matter?"
  • "Integrating Grief and Resilience in Vocational Development: A Practice‑Informed Framework for Understanding Calling"
  • "Rooted and Open: What is Your Concordia Story and Where Do You Show Up for Neighbors in Need?"
  • "Paths We Never Planned: Conversations on Vocation and Calling"

2:15-3 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

Various Locations TBA

  • "Nourishing During Your Vocational Journey: The Importance of Mindfulness Even at Mealtime" (Repeated)
  • "Living My Vocation Means I'm Happy, Right?!
  • "Your Rug's Been Yanked: How To Get Back Up, Bruised Ego and All"
  • "Liberal Arts as Work"

3-4 p.m.

Reflective Spaces and Activities

Join one of our reflection locations to spend time in quiet contemplation or a small group activity and apply what you heard to your vocational journey. Additional details TBA.