When we explore and discern our vocations, we often wrestle with both the joys and hardships that we face in the many roles we play in life. NetVUE’s first webinar of this academic year explored this topic on September 16, and featured Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore, the author of this year’s Big Read, Follow Your Bliss and Other Lies About Calling. As she discussed her book, she used insights from it to help participants contextualize and understand the challenges that we all face as we live out our callings to work in higher education. The discussion also provided context for colleagues as they being to engage their campuses in the Big Read.
Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in women and childhood studies and Christian theology. The author, co-author, or editor of eighteen books as well as over a hundred chapters and journal articles, she earned her Ph.D. at the University of Chicago and is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Chair and Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture Emerita at Vanderbilt University. She is also a Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology and has received numerous awards and grants for her writing. Her publications span both academic and more popular audiences.
In the last thirty minutes of the webinar, Miller-McLemore responded to questions from participants, which included discussion about how to use her book on their campuses to support vocational exploration as part of their Big Read activities. NetVUE staff also shared additional resources, including an episode from NetVUE’s podcast Callings that features Miller-McLemore, an interview with Deanna Thompson, and a blog post from Vocation Matters, “Follow Your Bliss? Bad Advice for Calling.”
The webinar was recorded and can be accessed through the NetVUE’s webinar page, to which all faculty and staff members at NetVUE institutions have access. Interested in becoming an institutional member? You can find more information on NetVUE’s website for membership.
Rachel F. Pickett is the webinar coordinator for NetVUE.
