CONFERENCE 2017

30th CACSD National Conference 

The Next 150: Preparing Students to Thrive in a Complex World

As Canada celebrates its 150th year in 2017, This CACSD will focus on and celebrate the past while looking to the next 150 years and what lies ahead in Christian Higher Education. The contemporary moment in higher education is accented by issues that require a complex response. The political and religious history that shaped the residential schools, the human effects on the global climate, economic instability, changing perspectives on gender and sexuality, technological transformations, mental health issues on the rise, and an increasingly globalizing, diverse and pluralistic world confront students and challenge them to seek ways to engage the world. All require a sustainable, robust and faithful response informed by the gospel. Christian student development professionals stand in a unique position to mentor and support students through this learning process.  Join this pivotal conversation at the Annual CACSD conference in Calgary.

Full Conference Program

Friday, May 26, 2017 – Monday, May 29, 2017

Pre-conference trip in the mountains (separate registration)

Monday, May 29, 2017

2:00pm – Registration Opens (arrivals welcome anytime)

4:00pm – Campus Tours

5:00pm – Welcome Reception – Courtyard

5:30pm – BBQ Dinner – Courtyard

7:00pm – Welcome and Worship

8:00pm – Fireside conversation or explore the city

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

7:30-8:30am – Breakfast

8:45am – Worship and Devotion

9:15am – Keynote Speaker – Keith and Kristie Martel

10:15am – Break

10:30am – Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

12:30pm – Lunch

1:00pm – Banff Excursions (options/cost on your own)

  • Banff Gondola & mountain top walk

  • Cave & Basin or Turtle Mountain hikes

  • Banff Shopping

  • Canmore to Banff Bike ride

5:30pm – Supper in Banff (on your own)

7:30pm  – Optional Activities: Return to Ambrose or Hot Springs (bring your bathing suit!)

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

7:00-8:30am – Breakfast

7:00am – CACSD Fun Run

8:45 am     Workshop I

9:45 am   Coffee Break – Lower Atrium

10:00 am – Keynote Speakers – Keith and Kristie Martel

11:15 am – Chapel (starts at 11:30)

12:15pm – Lunch & Round Table Discussions (offsite)

2:00pm – Workshop II

3:15pm – Break/Optional Campus and Residence Tour

4:00pm – CACSD Annual General Meeting

6:30pm – Closing Banquet

8:30pm – Activities: Peace Bridge River Walk Downtown, Peters Drive-In, Fireside

Thursday, June 1, 2017

8:30-9:30am – Breakfast

10:00am – Keynote Speakers – Keith and Kristie Martel

11:00am – Worship and Communion

12:00pm – Lunch

1:00pm – Post Conference Excursions

Bibliography

Here are many of the resources we (Keith and Kristie) mentioned during our time together:

Benne, Robert, 2001, Quality with Soul. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

Benne’s text investigates five different Christian institutions to consider what makes them schools that exhibit “Quality with Soul.” Keith referenced this book in the third talk when considering Vision, Ethos, and People as the markers for excellent institutions.

Brueggemann, Walter, 2001, The Prophetic Imagination. Fortress Press.

In this book, Brueggeman studies the role of the Old Testament prophets and the ministry of Jesus and their role in the life of the people of God who have become numb under the power/knowledge regimes of what he terms “The Royal Consciousness.”

Dr. Brueggeman writes this primarily for people in church ministry, but I think it is apt for any of us working in higher education. Keith referenced this in his final talk as he considered the role of having a Gospel perspective that allows us to imagine “future alternative realities.”

Guthrie, David S., 1997, Student Affairs Reconsidered. University Press of Amer.

The homework I gave on student learning comes from this text edited by David S. Guthrie. Celebrating its 20th year in publication, Guthrie’s book remains one of the best works that attempts to understand various roles in student development from a Christian perspective. Keith had this at the ready to talk about regarding our foundational commitments in Christian student development (but didn’t quite get to it).

Inazu, John D., 2016, Confident Pluralism. University of Chicago Press.

Inazu explores the question concerning our ability (and responsibility) to remain steadfast in our commitments, while also being open to voices different than our own. Kristie referenced this as a possible resource for understanding conversations regarding diversity and inclusions at our universities. (A short video of Inazu from Q Ideas here: http://qideas.org/videos/confident-pluralism/)

Kelly, Kevin, 2017, The Inevitable. Penguin.

OK, he doesn’t talk about aliens and the church in this one… but this text was central in Keith’s considerations of how to be thinking about the future. Kevin Kelly’s focuses on future trends in technology, so don’t expect it to be higher education focused.

(Read his short piece on Nerd Theology here: http://kk.org/mt-files/writings/nerd_theology.pdf)

Postman, Neil, 1996, The End of Education. Vintage Books.

Keith referenced this in his third talk on foundations. Postman challenges the dominant narratives about education and offers a new set of stories that could function to reorient learning. In the higher education program, Keith pairs this with Wolterstorff’s Educating for Shalom (see below).

Selingo, Jeffrey J., 2015, College (un)Bound. Amazon Pub.

Selingo’s 2015 work has become ironically dated (largely due to his fascination with Massive Open Online Courses). Nevertheless, Selingo’s consideration of the unbundling of higher education in America is particularly apt for us and suggests that higher learning will soon look anything but traditional. Keith referenced this alongside the Herman Miller research in his third talk.

Wolterstorff, Nicholas et al, 2004, Educating for Shalom. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.

This is a collection of essays and addresses by philosopher and educator Nicholas Wolterstorff. It is a poignant work on the purpose of Christian higher education and, ultimately, is working to answer, “What is Christian higher education for?” If there were one book I (Keith) would offer as a starting point to consider the integration of faith and learning, it would be this one. Some of the essays are relatively dense and academic and many others are really quite accessible.

Yancey, George A., 2010, Neither Jew Nor Gentile. Oxford University Press.

Dr. Yancey’s research on Protestant higher education in the US is amongst the best research in the field on the problems of race in HED and possible ways forward. Keith and Kristie referenced this in the second talk on diversity and inclusion.

Geneva’s Christian View of Diversity document:

https://www.geneva.edu/about-geneva/diversity

Referenced by Others:

Crouch, Andy, 2013, Culture Making. InterVarsity Press.

Crouch’s book was referenced in Micah’s presentation on pop music and (perhaps) a few other places throughout the week.

DePree, Max, 2004, Leadership is an Art. Crown Business.

Depree was mentioned by Wally and Terry during Wally’s opening address, and he is also the son of the founder of Herman Miller furniture company.

Smith, James K. A., 2009, Desiring the Kingdom. Baker Academic.

Smith, James K. A., 2016, You Are What You Love. Brazos Press.

Smith has been an influential voice in the work of Christian higher education. The first of these titles is an important consideration/loving critique of the “worldview studies” that many of our institutions are doing. He offers a call to reconsider a Christian anthropology that defines us and our students as something more than “brains on sticks.” I’ve found him particularly helpful in thinking about how we educate in the classroom, on the athletic fields (pitches), in the residence halls, and beyond. The second of the two is a more popularized version of his ideas.

Vance, J. D., 2016, Hillbilly Elegy. Harper.

A top selling book in the US and what many believe is an explanation of the Trump Phenomenon. Terry mentioned this in his talk on Day 2. You can also take Vance out for a run as he does a long interview on the Ezra Kline show. Warning, there may be some salty language in the interview. (https://www.vox.com/2017/2/2/14404770/jd-vance-trump-hillbilly-elegy-ezra-klein-show)