Center for Faith and Learning

缅北禁地 created the Center for Faith and Learning to promote greater integration of intellectual and spiritual life, both on campus and in society more broadly.

Rooted in and inspired by the University’s Methodist identity, the Center seeks to help SMU students, faculty, and staff discern and develop connections between their religious convictions and their academic and professional work. In addition, the Center seeks to highlight and to promote dialogue surrounding the relevance of faith-based perspectives to fundamental questions in every area of intellectual inquiry and public life.

 

students and professor sitting at long conference table talking

Our programs foster intellectual and spiritual development of undergraduate and graduate SMU students. Promoting greater integration of religious faith with academic study, these programs help students discern a sense of vocation across a broad range of intellectual inquiry and professional work.

Our programs highlight the contributions of faith-based perspectives to understanding and addressing fundamental questions in the arts, physical sciences, humanities, social sciences, and professions for the entire University community鈥攁nd beyond.

We encourage all members of the University community to consider the relationship between SMU鈥檚 religious identity and heritage, and its mission of teaching, research, and service. We also foster dialogue about what it means to be simultaneously grounded in a Christian faith tradition and open to people and ideas of all religious and secular perspectives.

two people sitting in booth reading a book

Faith and Learning Scholars

The Faith and Learning Scholars Program is designed to help students grow in knowledge of the Christian faith and to explore connections between their faith and their intellectual and professional life. It is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at SMU.

The Faith and Learning Scholars experience is a year-long program, involving weekly small-group meetings with Christian faculty/staff mentors (ten in the fall and ten in the spring). There are also larger meetings of all Scholars at the beginning and end of the academic year (one in September and one in May).

Nearly 200 students have successfully completed, or are currently engaged in, the Faith and Learning Scholars program since its inception in 2016.

Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 Faith and Learning Scholars and close March 28. Student participants receive a $500.00 stipend and are provided books and materials. For more information email cfl@smu.edu.

dancer in white sleeveless top and white pants, faith & the arts featuring silas farley in white text

Faith and Learning Symposium 2025

When: Wine & Hors d'Oeuvres Reception starting at 6 p.m. and program to follow at 7 p.m.
Location: Bob Hope Theatre, Owens Art Center

Join us for a night filled with inspiring discussions and performances that explore the intersection of faith and the arts. The event will take place at the Bob Hope Theatre within the Owens Art Center, where we will delve into how different forms of creative expression can reflect our faith and enhance our spiritual journey. Come be a part of this exciting multimedia experience that celebrates the beauty of faith through performance and reflection.

Silas deeply believes that his dance performance, choreography, and pedagogy are powerful expressions of his Christian faith. Please join him and a talented group of Meadows performers for an incredible multimedia exploration of faith and the arts, featuring dance, music, film, and reflections on faith and the creative vocation. We can't wait to see you there!

View Past Symposiums