Holy Cross Hosts National Lilly Fellows Program

Earlier this month, more than 120 representatives from 77 faith-based colleges and universities from across the country 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 remarkable and powerful concert organized by the College's music department, titled "Voices of the Spirit."

Held September 30 – October 2, the lecture program featured distinguished scholars and theologians, including Alan Avery-Peck, Kraft-Hiatt Professor of Judaic Studies and chair, department of religious studies at Holy Cross; John Thiel, professor of religious studies, Fairfield University; Margaret L. Benderoth, executive director, American Congregational Association; and William J. Abraham, Albert Cook Outler professor of Wesley Studies and University distinguished professor, Southern Methodist University. A workshop for senior administrators — Marketing for Mission — preceded the conference.

On Sat., October 1, participants and other invited guests gathered in Brooks Concert Hall. The program featured 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 Holy Cross music professor, have worked together on many productions — so the concert was the occasion for a warm musical reunion. Guinand had spent the week before working with the College Choir, under the auspices of the College's conductor Pamela Getnick. The students performed a range of international song of worship and praise, spanning four centuries, including selections from Golijov's St. Mark's Passion.

Also during the Lilly conference, Robert K. Cording, James N. and Sarah L. O'Reilly Barrett Chair 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." The Prize honors Arlin G. Meyer, Professor Emeritus of English at Valparaiso University, who served as program director of the LFP from its inception in 1990 until his retirement in 2002. Cording is the author, most recently, 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, professor of English, serve as Lilly Fellow Program representatives at Holy Cross.

Thomas M. Landy, associate director of the Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture at Holy Cross coordinated the conference.

Related information:

# Lilly Fellows Program 2005 National Conference