NEXUS: Religion in the Public University

From 2004 to 2008, SIRCS and the UNM Religious Studies Program sponsored a series of public events designed to promote thoughtful dialogue regarding the contemporary issues and the role of religious traditions within society and the public university. Most included public lectures on religion, ethics, and spirituality vis-a-vis contemporary issues, each free and open to the public. Most were followed by intensive dialogue sessions between university-based scholars from diverse academic disciplines and congregation-based clergy from diverse religious traditions. Nexus was primarily funded by the Lilly Endowment through the Louisville Institute. The Nexus initiative has continued through internal university events on similar topics, and may be re-launched in the future.