Please join us for the 2026 Au Sable Academic Council, to be held September 24-26 at our Great Lakes campus in northern Michigan.
This year’s theme is Earthkeeping as Vocation. It grows out of a recognition that many of us, at different stages of our careers, find ourselves asking who we are becoming through our work. At a time when Christian higher education faces additional challenges, these questions take on added weight. This year’s Council will create space for redemptive reflections on calling.
The program will include a facilitated conversation on vocation, a live discussion with Duke University’s Norman Wirzba, and sessions focused on pedagogy, practical skills, and institutional partnerships. Our hope is that you will leave with a clearer framework for thinking about your work, as well as meaningful connections with faculty at peer institutions.
Please register by July 15 to secure your place. There is no cost to attend. Participation is limited to 50 people.
We are grateful to the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE) for supporting this year’s conference. NetVUE is a program of the Council of Independent Colleges and is supported by the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc.
Details
Dates: September 24-26, 2026
Address: 7526 Sunset Trail NE, Mancelona MI 49659
Arrival and Departure: Our first meal together will be Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 pm, and we will conclude on Saturday, September 26 with lunch at 12:30 pm. Please plan your travel so you can participate in the full conference.
Travel: You are welcome to drive. Parking is free. If flying, please use Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City, about 45 minutes from campus. Au Sable will provide shuttle transportation to and from the airport. Limited travel assistance is available. To request support, contact Ashley Rosenberger at ashley@ausable.org.
Accommodations: Housing and meals are provided on campus. Participants stay in dorm-style cabins, and meals are served in the dining hall. For those who are driving to campus, please bring your own bedding. For those who are flying, bedding will be provided. You can view photos of campus on the Great Lakes Campus Overview page.
Readings: All registrants will receive a copy of Love’s Braided Dance by Norman Wirzba, along with a short reflection by Robert Pampel from Studies in Vocation and Calling, a new journal published by NetVUE. The Pampel article can be downloaded here. We hope these readings can serve as a starting point for our time together in September.
Continuing Education Credits: Following the conference we will provide a digital certificate of attendance for your records, which may be helpful for continuing education documentation or professional reporting.