All Day Friday Event - Labyrinths in Higher Education

Friday, October 20th
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
(separate pre-registration required)

Exploring the Labyrinth: Paths and Possibilities in Higher Education
Keynote Presenter: Jan Sellers
Event Planning Team: Frank Faine, Katja Marquart, and Kathryn McLean

This day-long pre-conference event will provide an overview of the multitude of ways in which labyrinths are currently being used on college, university and seminary campuses. We’ll explore how the labyrinth has been used as a teaching and learning resource across a diversity of academic disciplines; ways in which it has been incorporated into the fabric of campus life, involving and engaging faculty, staff, students and the wider community; and some of the current and emerging trends in research. There will be ample time for dialogue between in-person participants and presenters as we explore together new, innovative possibilities for the labyrinth in higher education settings. Led by a team of seasoned facilitators / labyrinth educators and researchers (Dr. Jan Sellers, Rev. Dr. Kathryn McLean, Professor Katja Marquart and Frank Faine), this workshop will offer participants a rich opportunity to learn, gather new ideas, and connect with others interested in using and sharing labyrinths on college, university and seminary campuses world-wide.

Downloadable Event Schedule - revised 9-1-2023, subject to change (.pdf 58KB)


Keynote: Dr. Jan Sellers
Labyrinths on Campus and Beyond: Exploring the labyrinth as a creative resource for universities and colleges
Since her first encounter with labyrinths in higher education in 2007, Dr. Jan Sellers has been fascinated by the richness of possibilities that a labyrinth can bring to a university or college: in teaching and learning, in meditation and reflection, in creativity and play. Her keynote lecture at the Higher Education Workshop draws on her current research to bring these possibilities vividly to life, sharing ideas from many different academic settings including imaginative low-cost, curriculum-based and student-led initiatives.

Frank Faine is a spiritual director, Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator, and retreat leader. He is also the TLS Regional Representative for Florida. He completed a TLS Special Project on ways to use the labyrinth experience/walks on college university campuses in Central Florida. With a rich and diverse background in companioning, healing, and teaching, Frank offers spiritual direction, labyrinth walks, and retreats to all persons on their journeys to embrace a life affirming spiritual path through his organization, Steps, Stories and Songs.
 

Katja Marquart holds an MFA in Design Studies from UW – Madison, is a professor in the Division of Interior Architecture, School of Design, at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and served as Treasurer for The Labyrinth Society. Her creative work includes custom environmental design services, specializing in labyrinth design and installation. Katja has been engaged in labyrinth-related activities for over 20 years, is a Veriditas-trained Labyrinth Facilitator, and is trained at the Reiki Master level. 
 

Kathryn McLean first encountered labyrinths in 1998 at Grace Cathedral during an urban ministry conference in San Francisco with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in which she is ordained as a minister. She is a Board Certified Chaplain, Spiritual Director, a Veriditas trained Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator, a retreat leader,  Chair of the TLS Research Committee and TLS Florida Regional Rep. Her doctoral research from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL,  is on the role of the labyrinth in building beloved community, and she volunteers in several Florida communities to bring labyrinths to schools, colleges, spiritual communities and local community groups.