On February 18, NetVUE hosted its most recent webinar, focusing on the deep connection between vocation and character. Speakers explored the power this connection has to shape who we become and live lives of meaning and purpose, guided by values and virtues—a challenging enterprise in a world that often rewards winning and success at any cost. The webinar featured Paul Wadell and Hannah Schell, two prominent scholars on virtue who both contributed essays to At This Time and In This Place: Vocation and Higher Education, the inaugural volume from the NetVUE Scholarly Resources Project. In their presentations, they highlighted the urgency of this conversation at this moment in time and its potential for cultivating hope. Sharing how they became interested in the intersection of vocation and character, they also addressed the relational nature of these concepts and encouraged viewers to understand our callings within larger communal contexts.
Paul Wadell is professor emeritus of theology and religious studies at NetVUE member institution St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. He is the author of numerous publications, including Becoming Friends: Worship, Justice, and the Practice of Christian Friendship and Living Vocationally. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Bellarmine University in Louisville, his Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and his doctoral degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame. He received an honorary doctorate from St. Norbert College in May 2024.
Hannah Schell is associate director of advancement communications at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and previously served on the faculty of NetVUE member Monmouth College (IL). She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College in philosophy and East Asian studies and her doctoral degree in religious studies from Princeton University. She is a former editor of Vocation Matters, NetVUE’s blog, where she has published many posts, and has served as a facilitator at the Center for Courage and Renewal.
In the second half of the webinar, the presenters turned to questions from the audience. Together, they explored why character matters to their students and the role that virtue and vocation can play in the ways that colleges and universities prepare students vocationally. The webinar host, Rachel Pickett, also shared additional resources on related topics, including episodes from the NetVUE podcast Callings, including “Cultivating Virtue: Michael Lamb” and “Reimagining the Good Life: Jennifer Herdt.” Rachel also encouraged the gathered group to consider these posts from Vocation Matters: “Familismo, Success, and Service to Others,” by Hannah Schell, and “Assessing Character Strengths: Resources from Positive Psychology,” by Samantha Brown.
The webinar was recorded and can be accessed through NetVUE’s webinar page, which includes links 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, and is professor of psychology at Concordia University Wisconsin, a NetVUE member institution.
