Learning and Networking | Reflection on “The Purposeful University”

Since I live in Virgina, my participation in an Oregon NetVUE regional gathering might make it seem like I don’t know what “regional” means. Still, a NetVUE project team I’m working with was convening in Eugene beforehand, and we were invited to stick around for the gathering. I’m so glad I did! The folks at Bushnell University proved to be warm and welcoming hosts for the roughly 85 of us able to attend the October 2–4 event, titled “The Purposeful University.” Plus, I found what I always find at NetVUE events: important insights about vocation combined with fellowship among friends old and new.

The theme of the gathering, “The Purposeful University,” was helpfully framed by NetVUE Executive Director David Cunningham’s opening keynote as partially a question of mission vs. calling. Institutional mission statements are often so vague as to be unhelpful when facing today’s demands on higher education. Our institution’s callings may be equally “capacious” (in David’s terms); but since they at least point us towards the communities and constituencies that we serve, callings may offer more solid ground for institutional purpose. As case studies in determining such a purpose, Bushnell faculty members, staff, and administrative leaders—including President Joe Womack—generously offered their own institution’s experience throughout the event. Bushnell, along with a few other colleges, reported the results from their NetVUE Grants for Reframing the Institutional Saga, which seem to me a key tool for rediscovering a purpose grounded in institutional history.

These were pretty heady ideas, but the regional gathering also included some practical discussion of educational tools. One panel seemed built for tension, with Bushnell staff sharing how they use the Clifton Strengths assessment, followed by Colorado State’s Bryan Dik sharing some concerns psychologists have about Clifton (although Bryan cheekily started with a slide titled: “I’m not THAT critical!”). Bryan’s advice—lead with student interests, then use tools like Clifton to help students find direction within their interests—actually dovetailed with Bushnell’s use of the Strengths tool, while serving as a helpful reminder of both the limits and benefits of these kinds of instruments for vocational discernment.

Throughout the whole program, the passion and purpose of our hosts in the Bushnell community was a clear throughline. (A session where participants were supposed to cycle through roundtables essentially “failed” because we didn’t get up and move to another table; we all had too much to talk about!) Combined with an panel of local changemakers in housing and prison ministry, Bushnell’s purpose journey illuminated questions of faith and calling that NetVUE is wrestling with more broadly as it grows to include institutions with a wide variety of perspectives on religious faith. Some forms of faith may act as a “cheat code” to draw a community together in shared purpose; but how do we engender that shared calling within other faith traditions or at more secular institutions? The panels framed and engaged such questions, but so did the informal conversations I had with fellow attendees during breaks and over meals.

And that is my key takeaway about this kind of regional event: the small scale allows deep, sustained conversations while still encouraging participants to make new friends. Because of the almost effortless nature of these connections, regional gatherings might be especially helpful for folks who are new to NetVUE and to the whole enterprise of vocational reflection with college students. Still, an old head like me found plenty to chew over here, with specific takeaways and broader thoughts about purpose—not just for higher education or for my institution, but perspectives on my own vocation as well.