University of Dubuque Wendt Character Initiative

Welcome to the Lester G. Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative

What is the Wendt Character Initiative, and what difference does it make?

It's all about developing a culture of character here at the University of Dubuque. By this we mean developing good character in community with others. Some universities have ethics centers where academic experts study and write so they can inform others' thinking about moral issues. At UD, we value such information, but we especially seek to collaborate on forming ethical character in each student, faculty and, staff member (and as you have already figured out, this means in our campus community as a whole). The Wendt Center is dedicated to facilitating this effort, and that makes it rather special!

How can this Wendt Center form ethical character?

The short answer is that it can't--not directly, anyway. What it can do is help you seize the challenge of your own character formation. To some extent, during the K-12 years parents and teachers can shape children's character by teaching, modeling and reinforcing good behavior, but a university is for adults. College is where we really start making our own decisions, where the rules are comparatively few, where we are exposed to new ideas and learn how to think for ourselves. In college, forming our character is mostly up to us, and we start developing the kind of adult character that we'll take with us to the workplace and our own families. That's why it is so important for us to reflect on questions of character in college.

So, the Wendt Center is about developing the tools, experiences, conditions, and connections that will help you reflect on why character matters, what good character involves, and how to develop your own character in a direction that any future children, grandchildren, neighbors, and fellow citizens would be proud of.

What does the Wendt Initiative do to support character formation?

We're glad you asked. Here are some of the ways in which we work to support university members' quest for character:

Wendt Character Scholars' Program This co-curricular program (with a competitive scholarship attached) brings together university students who want to be proactive about developing their character and making the world around them better. We meet regularly during the semester for short lectures, small-group discussions, community-building, and service projects.
Support for Faculty, Coaches, and Staff We host workshops, book discussion groups, teaching circles, and other activities to help university employees enhance their contribution to UD's mission of developing each person's knowledge, skill set, calling, and quality of character. Additionally, faculty and coaches may apply for grants to fund student learning experiences (e.g., trips) or professional development that substantially intersects with the Wendt Initiative's focus on ethics, character, and vocation.
Michael Lester Wendt Lecture Series We bring nationally known speakers to campus to address large and small groups about character issues in business, politics, education, athletics, science, religion, and so forth. These visits are designed to generate ongoing discussion on campus.
Promotion of reflection on character and ethics in coursework The Wendt Initiative encourages and supports all instructors to integrate questions of vocation (calling), moral identity, character, ethical sensitivity, ethical reasoning, and ethical decision making into their courses.
Support for the use of the arts, trips, films, visiting speakers, panel discussions, and other campus activities to generate discussion and reflection about character and ethics.
Wendt Library Collection Wendt funding has helped create a growing collection of print, electronic, and audio-visual materials on matters of ethics and moral development.

Where does the funding for the Wendt Initiative come from?

The Lester G. Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque was established in March 2004. Funding for the Initiative is made possible by a generous memorial gift from the son and daughter-in-law of the late Lester G. Wendt and the parents of Michael Lester Wendt. In so doing, the donors wished to advance those principles of living and working exemplified by Lester and Michael that informed their concerns for lives of purpose and character.

Consistent with the University's stated Mission and Values and its Reformed Christian heritage, the overarching goal of the Initiative is to enhance character formation throughout the campus among students, faculty, staff, and other constituents in a manner that promotes a shared culture of character incorporating the virtues of truthfulness, honesty, fairness, and The Golden Rule. Feel free to contact us via the pop-up menu above.

Questions?

Feel free to contact us via the pop-up menu to the left.



Friday, May 24, 2013 Wendt Center Home Wendt Character Initiative and the UD mission Message from the President Mission and Values UD and the Presbyterian Tradition Reformed Christianity, the Wendt Initiative and UD Staff Wendt Character Scholars About Wendt Scholars Program Happening This Term Applying to Wendt Scholars Program Applying for Renewal as a Wendt Scholar Wendt Scholar Pledge Mentors Faculty/Staff Involvement Faculty Salary Support Enhancing Your Faculty Evaluation Portfolio Programs and Opportunites Request for Funding Bibliographies Wendt Library Collection Ethics Reading List Library Collection Wendt Lecture Series Contact University of Dubuque UDTS Web Site	The Lester Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative Welcome to the Lester G. Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative *What is the Wendt Character Initiative, and what difference does it make?* It's all about developing a culture of character here at the University of Dubuque. By this we mean developing good character in community with others. Some universities have ethics centers where academic experts study and write so they can inform others' thinking about moral issues. At UD, we value such information, but we especially seek to collaborate on forming ethical character in each student, faculty and, staff member (and as you have already figured out, this means in our campus community as a whole). The Wendt Center is dedicated to facilitating this effort, and that makes it rather special! *How can this Wendt Center form ethical character?* The short answer is that it can't--not directly, anyway. What it can do is help you seize the challenge of your own character formation. To some extent, during the K-12 years parents and teachers can shape children's character by teaching, modeling and reinforcing good behavior, but a university is for adults. College is where we really start making our own decisions, where the rules are comparatively few, where we are exposed to new ideas and learn how to think for ourselves. In college, forming our character is mostly up to us, and we start developing the kind of adult character that we'll take with us to the workplace and our own families. That's why it is so important for us to reflect on questions of character in college. So, the Wendt Center is about developing the tools, experiences, conditions, and connections that will help you reflect on why character matters, what good character involves, and how to develop your own character in a direction that any future children, grandchildren, neighbors, and fellow citizens would be proud of. *What does the Wendt Initiative do to support character formation?* We're glad you asked. Here are some of the ways in which we work to support university members' quest for character: Wendt Character Scholars' Program This co-curricular program (with a competitive scholarship attached) brings together university students who want to be proactive about developing their character and making the world around them better. We meet regularly during the semester for short lectures, small-group discussions, community-building, and service projects. Support for Faculty, Coaches, and Staff We host workshops, book discussion groups, teaching circles, and other activities to help university employees enhance their contribution to UD's mission of developing each person's knowledge, skill set, calling, and quality of character. Additionally, faculty and coaches may apply for grants to fund student learning experiences (e.g., trips) or professional development that substantially intersects with the Wendt Initiative's focus on ethics, character, and vocation. Michael Lester Wendt Lecture Series We bring nationally known speakers to campus to address large and small groups about character issues in business, politics, education, athletics, science, religion, and so forth. These visits are designed to generate ongoing discussion on campus. Promotion of reflection on character and ethics in coursework The Wendt Initiative encourages and supports all instructors to integrate questions of vocation (calling), moral identity, character, ethical sensitivity, ethical reasoning, and ethical decision making into their courses. Support for the use of the arts, trips, films, visiting speakers, panel discussions, and other campus activities to generate discussion and reflection about character and ethics. Wendt Library Collection Wendt funding has helped create a growing collection of print, electronic, and audio-visual materials on matters of ethics and moral development. Where does the funding for the Wendt Initiative come from? The Lester G. Wendt and Michael Lester Wendt Character Initiative at the University of Dubuque was established in March 2004. Funding for the Initiative is made possible by a generous memorial gift from the son and daughter-in-law of the late Lester G. Wendt and the parents of Michael Lester Wendt. In so doing, the donors wished to advance those principles of living and working exemplified by Lester and Michael that informed their concerns for lives of purpose and character. Consistent with the University's stated Mission and Values and its Reformed Christian heritage, the overarching goal of the Initiative is to enhance character formation throughout the campus among students, faculty, staff, and other constituents in a manner that promotes a shared culture of character incorporating the virtues of truthfulness, honesty, fairness, and The Golden Rule. Feel free to contact us via the pop-up menu above. Questions? Feel free to contact us via the pop-up menu to the left.
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