The Role of Religion in Higher Education

Dean William Willimon, November 24, 2003

Widely published Dean of Duke Chapel William Willimon spoke on the important role of churches in the development of higher education in the United States illustrating his remarks frequently with the specifics of Trinity College, now Duke University. The cousin of Seminar Professor Lynn Blanchard, Willimon provided numerous examples of the secular nature of higher education in modern times.

Willimon's reflections on the development of higher education institutions as a result of the need to develop leaders for our developing democracy linked well with recurring themes in the plenary textbooks Light on the Hill by William Snyder and William Friday: Power, Purpose and American Higher Education by William A. Link.

Dean William Willimon at the side entrance to Duke Chapel in Durham, North Carolina. His topic and discussion of the importance of moral values was an important parallel to UNC's focus on honor this year.