University holds conference exploring spiritual meaning of education

Steubenville, Ohio, Jan 27, 2005 / 22:00 pm

On Saturday, January 22^nd, students, faculty and staff at Franciscan University of Steubenville held a unique event investigating the intellectual and spiritual dimensions of education.

"Be Transformed in Spirit and Mind: A Conference on Prayer and Learning", brought together a collaboration of students and faculty “unlike any other to date”, said the university.

"The synthesis of religious piety and secular learning are joined in the most natural and organic way”, Dr. Regis Martin, a well-known speaker and professor of Theology at the University told participants. “Without geometry and piety, the great Gothic cathedrals could not have been made."

Professor James Gaston from the University likewise acknowledged that the purpose of higher education “is learning to think, learning to learn, learning to search for the truth."

The conference ultimately explored the idea that the learning process should not be separated from one’s own personal striving for holiness.

Franciscan University is one of a handful of colleges and universities across the country whose faculty take oaths of fidelity to be true to the teaching of the Catholic Church.