Catholic business education focus of ND conference

Examining the nature and scope of Catholic business education is the focus of the conference "Business Education at Catholic Universities: Exploring the Role of Mission-Driven Business Schools," being held June 11 to 13 (Wednesday to Friday) at the University of Notre Dame.

The role of Catholic social thought applied to business education seems largely compatible when discussing the topic of ethics, but in tension when discussing profit maximization and outsourcing.

Bringing together some of the foremost leaders in the areas of Catholic business education, including Rev. Robert Spitzer, S.J., of Gonzaga University; Rev. Gerald Cavanaugh, S.J., of the University of Detroit Mercy; and Carolyn Y. Woo, Martin J. Gillen Dean of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, the conference also will include more than 245 business professors from the United States and abroad.

"This important conference will examine in depth what it means to be a business school within a Catholic university," said Patrick E. Murphy, professor of marketing, conference co-chair and co-director of the Institute for Ethical Business Worldwide at Notre Dame.

"The topic is an essential one for all Catholic business educators in a time when the values of business professionals are being challenged," Murphy said. "What can we do to educate a more thoughtful and faith-centered executive for the future?"

Speakers will examine innovative general and discipline-specific curricular models that reflect the character of business education in a Catholic university, as well as the necessary elements in reaching this mission. Topics include the role of faculty in promoting mission-driven Catholic business education, and engaging students on the legal and theological meaning of business.

The conference is co-sponsored by 18 colleges and universities, including Santa Clara University, Marquette University, St. Mary's University (Calif.), St. John's University of New York, University of Dayton and University of St. Thomas (Minn.).

Contact: Patrick E. Murphy at 574-631-9092 or Murphy.72@nd.edu. 

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