“Work is part of God’s living plan. Work changes things outside, and it changes things inside.”
—Pope Francis
Throughout their time at Georgian Court, students are provided with educational, spiritual, and experiential experiences, and it is the responsibility of the Georgian Court community, as educators, to help students “connect the dots” of these experiences to develop their calling.
This was the theme of the “Helping Students to Develop Their Calling” presentation by Richard Ponton, Ph.D., GCU assistant professor of psychology, on October 19 as part of Inaugural Week’s Lunch and Learn series.
Faculty, staff, and administrators joined Dr. Ponton as he discussed vocation and calling in the context of the Catholic Church and psychologists. The presentation centered on the question: “How do we reframe our conversation to who you want to be, rather than what you want to be?”
Dr. Ponton noted that the strongest influences upon deciding one’s calling are experiences and individuals who touch the students’ lives. Reflection is particularly important in helping students connect these experiences to vocation and calling, he said.
He cited Pope Francis, who said “work is part of God’s living plan. Work changes things outside, and it changes things inside.”
Dr. Ponton listed the many benefits of promoting the conversation of calling, including enhanced student engagement, improved retention, improved academic performance, deeper learning, understanding of one’s life trajectories, improved faculty engagement, and improved community involvement.
“It is our responsibility to teach compassion and mercy,” he added.
Story contributed by Michelle Giles, GCU communications and grants specialist.
