NCU Becomes Founding Member of NetVUE

WASHINGTON, DC - Northwest Christian University announced today that it has joined as a Founding Member the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a nation-wide campus-supported network whose purpose is to expand and extend the intellectual and theological exploration of vocation on campuses. NetVUE is a new initiative of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), a national association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities.

Through national and regional conferences, the development and exchange of resources, and participation in online networking, NetVUE will help institutions deepen vocational exploration by their students. The goals of the network are to share knowledge, best practices, and reflection on experiences among campuses while facilitating the incorporation of additional independent colleges and universities into this enterprise.

In announcing the launch of NetVUE, CIC President Richard Ekman said, "Over the past several years, the Council of Independent Colleges has made a commitment to advancing vocational exploration as a guiding force in American independent higher education. The concept of vocation emerged as a significant factor from various sources and has been applied in different ways for different campus constituencies. CIC hopes that NetVUE will capitalize on what has been learned about the theological exploration of vocation and how it can be adapted and developed to strengthen colleges and universities, their leadership, and the education they provide for their students."

In commenting on NCU's membership in NetVUE, Dennis Lindsay, vice president for academics and dean of the faculty, noted the following: "Since NCU was founded in 1895, it has been a haven of higher education where students, staff, and faculty alike are able to explore and to express their diverse individual vocations within a framework of Christian faith commitment and service.  From very early in their general education courses right up through the professional internships in their senior year, NCU students reflect theologically on how they are being uniquely 'called' to service in the workplace, community, Church, and world.  As a member of this new Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, NCU looks forward to the opportunities to share what has been learned in this area and to learn from the rich experiences of other member institutions."

NetVUE is generously supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., which has funded similar programs over the years. "We have discovered," said Craig Dykstra, Lilly Endowment's senior vice president for religion, "that structured programs that encourage and guide students in the theological exploration of vocation do indeed help them draw on the wisdom of their religious traditions as they make decisions about their futures and figure out how to lead lives that really matter. We have been approached by hundreds of colleges and universities seeking to enhance their educational programs by incorporating vocational reflection more intentionally into their curricular and co-curricular activities. We are delighted that CIC is committed to sustaining and extending this important conversation and helping colleges across the country to advance their educational missions in this way."

For more information about NetVUE, visit www.cic.edu/NetVUE. 

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About Northwest Christian University
Northwest Christian University is a liberal arts institution dedicated to developing competent, ethical leaders for service in the workplace, community, Church and world. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded in 1895 and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Northwest Christian University offers 15 traditional undergraduate degree programs, four master's degree programs, and a professional studies program for working adults. More information about the University is available at www.northwestchristian.edu.

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of more than 600 independent, liberal arts colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations that work together to strengthen college and university leadership, sustain high-quality education, and enhance private higher education's contributions to society. To fulfill this mission, CIC provides its members with skills, tools, and knowledge that address aspects of leadership, financial management and performance, academic quality, and institutional visibility. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.