Lilly Endowment Awards $48,000 to Union College

Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $48,000 planning grant to Union College to assist in the preparation of an implementation grant proposal. The project will explore how to enhance existing programs and build new ones to better prepare the next generation of leaders for the church, community and society.

"Colleges and universities have a pivotal opportunity to help young people explore their options and make life-defining decisions in light of their intellectual and faith convictions," said Craig Dykstra, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for religion. "Whether preparing to serve as a pastor in a congregation or to work as a professional, young people in liberal arts institutions can be helped to see their own work in terms of a calling or vocation which gives their lives and work profound and lasting meaning."

The planning grant will allow Union to research and design a plan to help attract students interested in linking religious beliefs with career choices, and in reflecting on how faith connects with life choices.

"Programs that result from this planning period will improve the opportunities that Union students have to strengthen connections among intellectual development, service and spiritual growth," said Dr. Russell Sisson, assistant professor of religion and philosophy and grant coordinator. "We will build on the history and vision of the College and the learning community to help students make a connection between faith and vocation, and to reflect more directly upon how their faith connects with their life choices."

"Fortunately, the timing of this grant coincides with the launching of the Religion and Public Life Institute," Sisson continued. "This will help faculty and staff better understand the dynamics of spiritual development." The Institute will also conduct workshops that examine how faith development can be nurtured through the academic curriculum and campus life.

The grant will provide funds for coordination of this planning process, stipends for faculty members participating in the research and planning phases, equipment, guest lecturers, travel expenses, focus groups and administrative costs. The planning phase will result in a proposal for an implementation grant in the range of $500,000 to $2 million that would be used to execute a three to five year program.

Lilly Endowment invited a carefully selected and diverse group of 50 outstanding colleges and universities to apply for this planning grant. Once again, Union joins a well-respected group as part of the selection process. Other schools receiving the grant include Georgetown College, Duke University, Grinnell College and Wake Forest University.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business – Eli Lilly and Company. In keeping with the wishes of the three founders, Lilly Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and community development. The Endowment affords special emphasis to projects that benefit young people and that promote leadership education and financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector.

Union College is a learning community dedicated to creating personal, intellectual and social transformation through the pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, service and spiritual growth. Founded in 1879, the College is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

February 1, 2001

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