President of National Catholic Education Association to Speak

Released: 2/2/07

Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Education Association, will examine the challenges of contemporary education on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 4:30 p.m., in the Weasler Auditorium as part of the university's Mission Week celebration. The lecture, "The Grace of Great Things: The Case for Catholic Education, K-16," is sponsored by the School of Education.

"Dr. Ristau brings her deeply informed and unique perspective on Catholic schools in America," said Bill Henk, dean of the School of Education. "Her remarks will serve as a springboard for exploring ways that the School of Education might enhance its support to K-12 Catholic education in the region."

Ristau began her career as a teacher and principal in California elementary schools, and subsequently served as a faculty member and academic administrator at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Conn., and St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ill. Dr. Ristau is a frequent lecturer and has served on numerous educational committees and boards.

NCEA is the largest private professional education organization in the world, representing 200,000 Catholic educators serving 7.6 million students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in religious education programs, in seminaries and in colleges and universities.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

4:30 p.m. Weasler Auditorium
The Grace of Great Things:

The Case for Catholic Education, K-16
Dr. Karen Ristau, President of the National Catholic Education Association

Catholic education proclaims its aim as educating the whole person — spiritually, morally, intellectually and physically. Marquette University’s mission amplifies that aim, emphasizing the education of the heart as well as the mind, and seeking truth under the mutually illuminating powers of human intelligence and faith. Join Dr. Karen Ristau as she examines the challenges of this enterprise which, while re-shaped for our contemporary world, still promises the grace of great things.

Please see the schedule of events for more information!