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From Sept. 30-Oct. 2, more than 120 representatives from 77 faith-based colleges and universities convened at Holy Cross for the 15th annual national conference of the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts. In addition to three days of plenary lectures and scholarly discussions, participants reflected on the theme of "Keeping the Faith: Four Religious Perspectives on the Creation of Tradition," during a powerful concert organized by the music department, titled "Voices of the Spirit."
The lecture program featured distinguished scholars and theologians, including Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt Professor in Judaic Studies and chair of the religious studies department at Holy Cross; John Thiel, professor of religious studies at Fairfield University; Margaret L. Benderoth, executive director of the American Congregational Association; and William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler professor of Wesley Studies and university distinguished professor at Southern Methodist University. A workshop for senior administrators—Marketing for Mission—preceded the conference.
On Oct. 1, participants and other invited guests gathered in Brooks Concert Hall for a program featuring performances by acclaimed soprano Dawn Upshaw and the Holy Cross College Choir, conducted by Venezuelan conductor Maria Guinand. Upshaw, Guinand, and Osvaldo Golijov, world-renowned composer and associate professor of music at Holy Cross, have worked together on many previous productions. Guinand had spent the week prior to the performance working with the College Choir, under the auspices of the College's conductor Pamela Getnick. The students performed a range of international songs of worship and praise spanning four centuries, including selections from Golijov's St. Mark's Passion.
Also during the Lilly conference, Robert K. Cording, the James N. and Sarah L. O'Reilly Barrett Professor in Creative Writing in the Holy Cross English department, received the Arlin G. Meyer Prize, for work "that highly exemplifies the practice of the Christian artistic vocation." Cording is most recently the author of a book of poetry titled Against Consolation.
The Lilly Fellows Program seeks to renew and enhance the connections between Christianity and the academic vocation at church-related colleges and universities. Stephen C. Ainlay, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, and James Kee, associate professor and chair of the College English department, serve as Lilly Fellows Program representatives at Holy Cross. Thomas M. Landy, associate director of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture at Holy Cross coordinated the conference.
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