Gathering for the Common Good: Reflections from a convening of faith-based institutions at George Fox University
This fall, George Fox University hosted ECI Community members united in exploring the formation of student character in faith-based higher education. Principal investigators from Educating Character Initiative Institutional Impact Grants at George Fox University, Hope College, Seattle Pacific University, and Whitworth University convened the two-day event. Educators from six other ECI Community institutions—Belmont University, Eastern University, Pepperdine University, University of Dubuque, University of Notre Dame, and Westmont College—attended the “Christ-Centered Character Formation Convening.”
Together, this group of thoughtful leaders represents a growing subset within the ECI Community: faith-based institutions committed to forming students with the qualities they need to serve the common good.
“Each of us works in a distinct institutional and cultural context, but we all have an overlapping area of passion and concern: how can we do character education and formation in a way that is faithful to our theological traditions? At the same time, we want to be hospitable to students of varied backgrounds and outward-focused in our orientation,” reflected Travis Pickell, Chair of the Department of Theology, Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics, and Co-Director of the Program for Leadership & Formation at George Fox University.
“Each of us works in a distinct institutional and cultural context, but we all have an overlapping area of passion and concern: how can we do character education and formation in a way that is faithful to our theological traditions?”
Travis Pickell, George Fox University
Davey Henreckson, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Weyerhaeuser Center for Christian Faith & Learning at Whitworth University, added, “In a time when there are so many temptations to curve in on ourselves and serve our own tribal interests, this gathering gave us an opportunity to imagine how our faith traditions can propel us outward to serve the broader world.”
Character conversations can easily remain theoretical, but this gathering modeled something more tangible. From shared meals to guided spiritual practices, every element invited participants not only to discuss formation but also to practice it.
“Every component of the convening felt like an invitation into friendship and community,” said Henreckson. “It’s one thing to discuss good character; it’s another to embody it.”
Thane Erickson, Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Clinical Psychology Internship at Seattle Pacific University, echoed this sentiment, describing the gathering as “life-giving and a breath of fresh air.”
“Our common purpose transcended any sense of ownership over materials or methods. The willingness to share freely in the spirit of serving the greater good was truly inspiring.”
Brittany Tausen, Seattle Pacific University
A spirit of generosity extended to the exchange of ideas. In a landscape where academic competition can create guardedness, participants were struck by the openness and trust that characterized the discussions.
“It was refreshing to be part of a community marked by such generosity,” said Brittany Tausen, Director of Undergraduate Research and Associate Professor of Psychology at Seattle Pacific. “Everyone’s primary aim was to advance the shared mission of forming students of character. That common purpose transcended any sense of ownership over materials or methods. The willingness to share freely in the spirit of serving the greater good— so others need not reinvent what already exists —was truly inspiring.”
Throughout the convening, each organizing team presented a white paper outlining their Institutional Impact work, highlighting progress and challenges in their first year of funding. The conversations that followed demonstrated curiosity and humility as participants compared approaches, reflected on lessons learned, and posed difficult questions:
How does character formation fit within the context of Christian higher education, where language like “spiritual formation” or “discipleship” often predominates? What does a distinctively Christ-centered approach to character formation look like, especially on campuses where not all students share the same faith commitments? And how can this work honor an institution’s theological heritage while remaining inclusive and invitational to all?
Joseph Clair, Associate Provost of the Division of Humanities and Honors, and Professor of Theology and Culture at George Fox, found the exchanges to be instructive. “I learned a great deal from hearing other stories of success and challenge,” he noted. “Each institution approaches the work differently—some from the top down, others from the grassroots up—but all are finding creative ways to move from mission statements to lived practices.”
For many, the convening helped normalize the challenges of this ambitious work. “I was able to see how the obstacles we face are also challenges for others,” said Pickell. “We are not alone. And now, I know who I can go to with further questions.”
That sense of solidarity—of being “fellow travelers” on a shared journey—was one of the convening’s greatest gifts.
The practical outcomes of the gathering were immediate and encouraging. Liza Johnson, Director of the Wendt Center for Character and Leadership at the University of Dubuque, left energized by George Fox’s approach to first-year formation, especially their first-year seminar. Both George Fox and the University of Dubuque use the Head, Heart, Hands framework, and she was inspired by their use of art, poetry, and design to engage students.
“When I saw their first-year seminar handbook, I thought, ‘this is exactly where we need to be,’” Johnson shared. She brought the resource back to her own campus, where it’s already helping spark ideas for new materials for first-year seminars.
“It’s not just words on a page—it’s a beautifully designed piece that connects with students in meaningful ways. The intentionality behind it really inspired us.”
Stories like this highlight the ripple effect of collaborative gatherings, where one institution’s work can spark innovation beyond its campus.
“My hope is that we have a new network, sustained by deep friendship and a common vision for higher education, that will sustain us even when higher education feels quite threatened these days.”
Davey Henreckson, Whitworth University
By the close of the convening, participants were already imagining next steps. The primary outcome was a renewed commitment to sustained collaboration, with concrete ideas exchanged for future joint efforts and resource sharing. It was clear this was only the beginning: a community of practice committed to mutual learning and growth.
“We’ve only scratched the surface on what makes Christ-centered character formation distinctive,” Clair reflected. “I can see our next gathering diving deeper into these questions.”
Henreckson agreed: “My hope is that we have a new network, sustained by deep friendship and a common vision for higher education, that will sustain us even when higher education feels quite threatened these days.”
For Johnson, the impact was both personal and professional. “I came away encouraged by the sense of shared mission and the creativity in how each campus is approaching this work. It felt like the beginning of a meaningful collaboration that will continue to grow and make an impact for the common good.”