Volume 6, Issue 1

Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America in 1830 made the observation that the strength of American democracy lay in its spirited voluntary associations and emphasis on community. He declared however, that democracy and its manifestation of individualism, while a virtue, could become a vice when taken to extremes, especially in the form of hyper individualism. Putnam, a contemporary scholar, in his book Bowling Alone (2000), reveals that America has reached the vicious stage of its democracy where people are so preoccupied with their own concerns and successes that they have shut out of their consciences and consciousnesses the concerns of others in a society. Individuals' preoccupation with financial and human capital accumulation has led to the corrosion of social capital – the connections and cooperation among people, and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness - considered by many social scientists as the raw material of society, and as vital as language, for a humane society (Cox, 1995; Putnam, 2000).

At Calvin College we embrace a particular moral story, one we believe is rooted in God's truth as revealed in Biblical and natural revelation. The consistent teaching of this moral story across the entire college is based on our educational mission.

The Templeton Foundation's Power of Purpose essay contest drew almost 7,500 essays from around the world. The $100,000 grand prize went to SKS Founder Augie Turak for his essay "Brother John."

The concept of "vocation" is one that is constantly evolving. Members of the Alma College community are using the term "vocation" to prompt discussion of meaning, purpose, and calling in life.

We look at how students can discover meaning in their lives by appreciating the richness, depth, and breadth of diversity in the context of shared community. The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor challenges students to view others' perspectives.