Weeklong Theology Institute for Girls to Launch in Summer
Saint Mary's Stories
December 2, 2015 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary’s College is proud to announce that Lilly Endowment Inc. has granted the College nearly $527,000 to establish a theology summer institute for high school girls. The grant is part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s High School Youth Theology Institutes initiative, which seeks to encourage young people to explore theological traditions, ask questions about the moral dimensions of contemporary issues, and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.
The Endowment is giving $44.5 million in grants to 82 private four-year colleges and universities around the nation to create the institutes. The grants are part of the Endowment’s commitment to identify and cultivate a cadre of theologically minded youth who will become leaders in church and society.
“These colleges and universities are well-positioned to reach out to high school students in this way,” said Dr. Christopher L. Coble, vice president for religion at the Endowment. “They have outstanding faculty in theology and religion who know how to help young people explore the wisdom of religious traditions and apply these insights to contemporary challenges.”
Saint Mary’s theology institute for high school girls, housed in the College’s Division for Mission, will provide a one-week experience set within a structure that offers lecture, reflection, and active involvement through art activities, community engagement, and interfaith dialogue. The pilot institute will take place during the summer of 2016. The College will announce more details, including dates, soon.
Vice President for Mission Judith Fean expressed gratitude for the generous grant and looks forward to the first institute. “The annual weeklong theology institute at Saint Mary’s will lead young women in the development of a healthy self-image, a confidence in their ability to contribute to the world, and an understanding of social justice and interfaith dialogue. We thank Lilly Endowment Inc. for awarding the College this grant which will help us do what we do best at this Catholic women’s college: help young women discover themselves, the world, and their place in it, in the tradition of the College’s founders, the Sisters of the Holy Cross.”
The 82 schools to receive grants for this initiative are located in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Some of the schools are independent, but many, including Saint Mary’s, reflect the religious heritage of their founding traditions. These traditions include Roman Catholic, Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches, as well as Pentecostal, non-denominational, and historic African-American Christian communities.
An additional grant to the Forum for Theological Exploration will establish a program that will bring together leaders of the high school youth theology institutes to foster mutual learning and support.
About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. Saint Mary’s College also offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2015 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @saintmarysnews
About Lilly Endowment Inc.: Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family - J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli - through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. LillyEndowment’s religion grantmaking is designed to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes
Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.