THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The public is invited to the keynote presentation of a higher education conference at California Lutheran University that is part of a national initiative to explore the idea of vocation on college campuses.

The Rev. Mark Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will discuss “Vocation and Reflection” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 9, in Samuelson Chapel.

The talk will kick off a two-day conference for NetVUE, the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education. The regional gathering, one of seven being held throughout the country in 2011-2012, will focus on vocation as it relates to experiential learning. Presenters will discuss civic engagement, study abroad and service learning.

CLU geology professor Linda Ritterbush, assistant professor of religion SamThomas and two students will give a presentation on the CLU Garden project as an example of vocational development in the university’s new outdoor classroom. Participants will then work in the garden and talk about the service project, as a model of incorporating vocational reflection into undergraduate learning.

The university is a founding member of NetVUE, which was launched in 2009 by the Council of Independent Colleges with financial support from the Lilly Endowment Inc. There are now 169 members including Occidental College, Pepperdine University and Westmont College. CLU Provost Leanne Neilson serves on the NetVUE Advisory Council. The conferences provide opportunities to share knowledge, best practices and reflections on experiences at participating campuses.

Admission to the keynote presentation is free. For more information, contact CLU’s Church Relations Office at 805-493-3936.