Robert Benne, Jordan-Trexler professor of religion and director of the Center for Religion and Society at Roanoke College, has had a long-standing interest in theological issues of Christian higher education, especially its Lutheran manifestations.

On Oct. 29, the Wittenberg community had the opportunity to hear his thoughts on such issues during the 2001 Wittenberg Series Kenneth H. Sauer Symposium.

Author of eight books, including Quality with Soul: How Six Premier Colleges and Universities Keep Faith with Their Religious Traditions, Benne discussed the Lutheran heritage, Americanist heritage and his vision for Wittenberg in his address titled “The Vocation of a Lutheran University.”

A panel discussion with Donald Reed, professor of philosophy, and Frederick Tiffany, professor of economics, immediately followed his presentation.

“A Lutheran church-related university ought intentionally and systematically to ensure that Christian perspectives are represented in all the facets of its academic and social life,” Benne said.

“These persons ought to be recruited,” he continued, “on the basis of their qualifications in their field and on the basis of their interest in relating the Christian intellectual tradition to their field of learning or expertise.”

Benne also noted that Christian perspectives would never dominate under this arrangement. Instead, he explained, “they would be guaranteed a clear voice among others who will be relating their normative perspectives to their fields of learning and expertise.”

A Fulbright Scholar to Germany, Benne received his B.A. from Midland Lutheran College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In 1999-2000, he was the Senior Lilly Fellow in the Lilly Program for Humanities and the Arts at Valparaiso University.