Beyond Tolerance: Engaging Diverse Worldviews at the University of St. Thomas

Taking diversity seriously begins with a basic strategy for initiatives as simple as accommodating diverse practices. But tolerance is not enough and organizations need a philosophy on how to move from accommodation to true pluralism, where diversity of worldviews is valued and pursued. Having concrete strategies in place to help constituents work across differences ensures that religious diversity is not just a buzz-creating phrase, or something aspirational. This presentation aims to empower St. Thomas’ constituents to turn diversity of perspectives into a catalyst for innovation and collaboration.

Rahuldeep Singh Gill, Ph.D., is an associate professor of religion at California Lutheran University, where he also directs the Center for Equality and Justice and serves as Campus Interfaith Strategist. He has twice been voted Cal Lutheran's Diversity Professor of the Year and has served as visiting professor of Sikh Studies at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Professor Gill earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and he has become a widely sought-after speaker whose engaging lectures and workshops often have to do with creating more inclusive environments in the workplace, in the marketplace, and on campus. He has spoken before audiences of all sizes at events sponsored by the State Department's Study of United States Institutes, the Church Center for the United Nations, University of California, California State University, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, and the Interfaith Youth Core. The Los Angeles Times, Patheos.com, and the Washington Post's On Faith blog have published his writings and he blogs at The Huffington Post. Oxford University Press is publishing his first book, Drinking from Love's Cup: Surrender and Sacrifice in the Vars of Bhai Gurdas, and he is working on a second book called Pluralists: Great Leaders in History Who Brought People Together.

Sponsored by:

• Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning
• Department of Human Resources – The Leadership Academy
• Division for Student Affairs
• Interreligious Curriculum for Business Education Grant Initiative (funded by the Interfaith Youth Core and the Teagle Foundation)
• Office for Mission
• Center for Faculty Development
• Office for Diversity and Inclusion