University character education: purpose and strategies
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota hosted the inaugural Summer Institute for students in the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program June 24 and 25 on its Twin Cities Campus. The Summer Institute included a variety of presentations including an introduction to a virtue-based approach to professional ethics for educational leaders.
Forming Character within the University
Saint Mary’s welcomed Michael Lamb, Ph.D. to present “Several Reasons why it is Good to form Character within the University.” This presentation was open to students, faculty, and staff of Saint Mary’s and took place on October 18, 2021 at 3 pm on the Twin Cities campus.
Preparing Educational Leaders of Character
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will welcomed Melinda C. Bier, Ph.D. to its Twin Cities campus on June 24-25, 2021 as a featured speaker during the Summer Institute.
Inaugural Ed.S. Summer Institute draws 70 participants
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota hosted the inaugural Summer Institute for students in the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program June 24 and 25 on its Twin Cities Campus. The Summer Institute included a variety of presentations including an introduction to a virtue-based approach to professional ethics for educational leaders.
Inaugural Summer Institute
Saint Mary’s hosted the inaugural Summer Institute for students in the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program, which continues to be one of the largest programs in the state. Building on its strong reputation among educators and educational administrators, Saint Mary’s is enhancing the curriculum of the Ed.S. program with a renewed emphasis on character, virtue, and ethics.
Servant Leadership and Character Education
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota will welcomed Melinda C. Bier, Ph.D. to its Twin Cities campus on June 24-25, 2021 as a featured speaker during the Summer Institute.
Sport, Virtue, and Excellence Presented by William Thierfelder, Ed.D.
Dr. Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in sports psychology and human movement from Boston University. He is a licensed psychologist, a two-time NCAA Division I All-American, former NCAA Division I coach, and former member of the United States Olympic Committee’s Sports Psychology Registry.
Faculty of Character: Saint Mary’s launches faculty learning communities
Nearly every university claims to contribute to the intellectual and moral formation of students. The mission of Saint Mary’s states: “Enriched by the Lasallian Catholic heritage, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota awakens, nurtures, and empowers learners to ethical lives of service and leadership.”
Moral Goodness and the Wisdom Traditions
On February 3, 2021, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Character and Virtue Education program hosted Dr. Tony Klemmer, founder and president of Wisdom for Good and the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education.
Moral Goodness and the Wisdom Traditions Presented by Tony Klemmer, Ph.D.
Dr. Klemmer, founder and president of Wisdom for Good and the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education, holds degrees from the Harvard Business School, the Wharton School, and Salve Regina University.
Character in Action
Character and Virtue Education at Saint Mary’s is not only about rigorous intellectual engagement. In the oft-cited words of Aristotle, “The aim of our studies is not just to know what virtue is, but to become good.”
Sport, Virtue, and Excellence
On April 14, 2021, Dr. William Thierfelder, president of Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, will present on “Sport, Virtue, and Excellence.” The event will be live streamed with a limited number of seats available to attend in person on the Winona campus.
“Character, Policing, and Community Trust” Presented by Matthew Bostrom, Ph.D.
Dr. Bostrom, president of the Center for Character-Based Initiatives, began his law enforcement career in 1982. He served with the Saint Paul Police Department as Police Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Commander, Senior Commander, Chief of Staff, and Assistant Chief of Operations, and retired as Ramsey County Sheriff in 2017.
The Goal of True Education
On the third Monday of January each year, the United States observes a federal holiday to mark the birthday of the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Inspired by his Christian faith, Martin Luther King is the nation’s most well-known civil rights leader and one of four representatives of the American people who Pope Francis named in his address to a joint session of Congress in September of 2015.
Hire for character—train for competence:
On March 9, 2021, Dr. Matt Bostrom, president of the Center for Values-Based Initiatives, will give a presentation for faculty, staff, and students of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota on “Character, Policing, and Community Trust.” The event will occur at the university center on the Twin Cities campus with a limited audience and also be livestreamed.
Wisdom for Good:
On February 3, 2021, Dr. Tony Klemmer, founder and president of Wisdom for Good and the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education, will facilitate a seminar for faculty and staff at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota on “Moral Goodness and the Wisdom Traditions.”
Grant Funding to Support Educational Leaders
At a recent capstone event in one of the education licensure programs, a student noted that great leaders do not set out to be leaders.
Website Launch
A new microsite for Character and Virtue Education at Saint Mary’s launches this November as part of the larger university website.