An invitation to support ESN at year end . . .

The Emerging Scholars Network provides encouragement, vision, and connections that are vital to Christian students and faculty. In isolation, we wither; in community, we flourish. —David A. Vosburg, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College

As we continue to await the coming of the Christ-child in these hopeful days of Advent, we are reminded of our call towards generosity in this season of gifts. InterVarsity’s  Emerging Scholars Network  (ESN) could not exist without the generous efforts of its members and donors. If you have found yourself encouraged, challenged, and closer to Christ through the labors of ESN this year, please consider contributing an end-of-the-year gift today!  ^[1]

Day by Day by His grace,

Thomas B. Grosh IV,  Associate Director,  Emerging Scholars Network

PS. A taste of how ESN will begin 2014 . . .

• 1/8/2014: Launch of a Science & Faith ESN blog series  by  Tom Ingebritsen,  a retired Iowa State University biology professor and part-time staff person with InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries.
  • Tom Ingebritsen‘s series  will complement Andy Walsh‘s weekly science post on ESN’s  Facebook Wall  (Wednesday lunch)  and the monthly  Science in Review  (last Wednesday of the month).  Teaser:  Today’s blog begins a series about the relationship between science and Christian faith. I want to begin by addressing why I’m interested in this topic. I became a Christian in the middle of my academic career as a biology professor at Iowa State University. As I was coming to faith and afterwards I felt tension between my new faith and my knowledge of science. Was it really possible to believe in God in a modern scientific world?
  • The Science & Faith  ESN blog series  will offer a glimpse of the next step in the reshaping of the blog through an expanding  writing  team which will address focused topics in higher ed. If you are interested in learning more, possibly joining the team, recommending additional contributors, and/or form a “local hub” of campus contributors,  please  email  me.
• 1/9/2014: Faculty Day Program (St. Louis).  In partnership with InterVarsity’s Faculty Ministry, all the members of the Emerging Scholars Network (no matter their academic stage) are welcome to participate in a Faculty Day Program on Thursday, January 9 in St. Louis. I look forward to the opportunity to hangout with a mix of Faculty and Emerging Scholars as part of a program integrated with InterVarsity’s National Staff Conference.
  • If you are interested in learning more,  please  email  me.
  • Note: You are welcome to invite peers and those with whom you are in mentoring relationships.
• 3/1/2014:  The Midwest Faculty Symposium on The End of the University? will be offered on multiple campus sites. The featured presenter will be President Santa J. Ono, PhD, University of Cincinnati. Click here to learn more.
• ESN’s March Madness ’14  is in development. Among my personal “confessions” is that I am in no way trying to repeat and/or top last year’s incredible  Best Christian Book of All Time.  Yes, something different is in the works 🙂
• An ESN survey in order to glean your feedback, impressions, and ways you may desire to become more involved will be posted/emailed in the spring. We value your opinions and are here to serve you by helping to navigate the shifting sands of academia. Those who complete the survey will have the opportunity to enter into a drawing for book prizes from  InterVarsity Press. Now that’s a good deal!

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Notes