Student Engagement InitiativeThe programs described below intentionally highlight all four years of the traditional undergraduate experience. Taken as a whole, the programs of this initiative are designed so that Geneva students will:
- Be exposed to the ideas of calling and vocation in the co-curriculum
- Come to see that 100% of their lives is intended to be an expression of biblical spirituality
- Be able to articulate the contours of a Christian worldview (particularly in its Reformed framework) and would have considered the general and special calling of God upon their lives
- Consider the arenas in which God invites them to serve and lead
- Develop the perspectives and capacities to respond faithfully, hopefully and joyfully to the needs of a broken yet loved world
- Consider God's call to church ministry and will have numerous experiences in and beyond the classroom to prepare them for leadership in the church
Student Engagement Applications
Off-campus International Study--in connection with the Crossroads Office
Off-campus Domestic Study--in connection with the Crossroads Office
Ministry Interships/Experiences
Academic Partners
Innovative Program
The Call Lecture Series
Public forums provide useful opportunities to purvey commitments – institutional and personal – to larger groups of people. In addition, external speakers often receive a better hearing than “prophets in their own lands.” Therefore, we will establish The Call Lectures Series. Each semester, beginning Spring 2003, an effective Christian communicator from beyond Geneva College will visit campus for several days. One of his/her presentations will be scheduled for Geneva’s weekly Convocation/Chapel period. During each fall semester, the speaker will be asked to focus his/her remarks on God’s general calling to follow Jesus Christ. During each spring semester, the speaker will be asked to frame his/her remarks on God’s calling to faithful service in all that we are and do. This program will be coordinated by the Chaplain’s office in consultation with the Center for Higher Education and Faith.
The Off-Campus Study Network
Students' understanding of God's call is richer and more complete to the extent that it has the benefit of wider experience. In part, The Call exists to help students see the nature and breadth of God's work in the world by exposing them to it! Students can benefit Greatly through significant exposure to other cultures and environments as they learn about diversity and experience the needs of the world. Accordingly, The Call Office, in conjunction with Crossroads - Geneva's Center for Off-Campus Study, is working to identify, publicize, and educate students and faculty regarding international as well as domestic off-campus study programs. To further encourage students to consider studying off-campus, stipends have been made available so that this opportunity may be reasonably available to all Geneva Students. In order to be eligible for a stipend, you must participate in program that grants academic credit.
Students planning on studying off-campus in an international setting may apply for on Off-Campus International Study Stipend.
International Study Stipend Application Form
Students Planning on studying off-campus with in the United States may apply for an Off-Campus domestic Study Stipend.
Domestic Study Stipend Application Form
FYRE
FYRE (First Year Residents' Experience) was created in order to develop a connection between the living and learning of the students from the third floors of Pearce and Clarke Halls. Students are enrolled in core classes together, as well as a Faith, Learning, and Living seminar designed to connect their studies with life outside the classroom. Intentional focus is placed on calling and community development through book discussions, journaling, and social and cultural events.
Sophomore Retreats
The curriculum of Geneva College is designed, among other things, to nurture students as creational and spiritual persons. This program is designed to give the sophomore year a powerful jumpstart through participation in an extravagant weekend retreat that focuses on these themes.
Summer Ministry Intership/Experience
Summer ministry experiences are extremely valuable in helping students to discern giftedness and in providing opportunities to apply classroom learning within specific contexts and organizations. These experiences also help students to grow in their understanding of God's call in their lives as well as God's purposes for a broken yet loved world. Accordingly, this program aims to help defray the cost for students who choose to work in a low or no pay ministry opportunity rather than in a better paying summer job.
Ministry Stipend Application Form
Academic Partners Program
Whenever one-to-one academic mentoring occurs, we hear reports from both faculty and students that it was a stretching and rewarding experience; some refer to it as the highlight of an entire year or college career! The purpose of the Academic Partners Program is to create more opportunities for students to work with faculty. An Academic Partnership brings together a student who desires to work on a project in collaboration with a member of the faculty. The Call Office wants to support academic investigations, work on examples of fine art, a community service project, or a congregational life project. The project may not be done in conjunction with a standard credit course. If awarded, both the faculty member and the student will receive a $500 stipend.
Applications received by April 1 will be considered for summer projects. Applications received by May 1 will be considered for the following fall. Applications received by December 1 will be considered for the following spring. Academic Partners Stipend Application Form
Senior Dinners
This program is designed as a “conclusion” to all of Geneva’s efforts to help students understand the importance and nature of God’s call. Beginning in 2005, seniors will be invited to attend an off-campus banquet where they will enjoy dinner, fellowship, and a presentation that will help them “one last time” to consider their college experience relative to the aims of Geneva College. In addition, they will participate in a brief exercise that will assess ways in which calling and vocation have figured in their college experience, including the impact of programs connected with The Call.
Innovative Program Stipend
This is an invitation for students to dream and to be creative. In recognition of the diversity of experiences that may help students become attentive to God's call in their lives, the Innovative Program Stipend will be awarded to students who desire to participate in a valuable program or experience that may not fit exactly into The Call's already established programs. The program or experience should engage students intentionally and passionately with the prospect that their studies, activities, and relationships are intimately connected to God's purposes in the world.
Innovative Program Stipend Application Form
