Registration for the 2024 National Conference is full. To be notified when registration for next year’s Conference becomes available, please click the “Register” button at the top of this page.
Our largest annual event, the National Conference inspires and equips a growing community of Catholic educators to reclaim the Church’s full vision of education and to bring it to life in their classrooms. Join hundreds of Catholic educators as they come together to deepen their understanding of the nature and purpose of Catholic education and its roots in the liberal arts tradition.
The 2024 National Conference will take place on the campus of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Plenary Speakers
Most Reverend Earl K. Fernandes
Bishop of Columbus
Dr. Andrew Seeley
ICLE, Augustine Institute, and Boethius Institute
Jake Tawney
Chief Academic Officer, Great Hearts Academies
Dr. John Sehorn
Academic Dean at the Augustine Institute
Livestreamed Breakout Speakers
Dr. James Matthew Wilson
Chair in English Literature and Professor of Humanities at the University of St. Thomas (TX)
Sr. Peter Joseph Wardlaw, OP, and Sisters
Dominicans of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
Dr. Brett Salkeld
Author, Educating for Eternity: A Teacher's Companion for Making Every Class Catholic
Nic Charbonneau
Principal, Harrison Design
John Parker Wilmeth
Associate, Harrison Design
Joined by Friends of Catholic Liberal Education
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend James D. Conley
Bishop of Lincoln
Mary Pat Donoghue
Executive Director of the USCCB Secretariat of Catholic Education
Elias Moo
Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Dr. Michael Naughton
Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas (MN)
Dr. John Boyle
Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas (MN)
View highlights of last year’s conference here:
THEME:
The theme for our 2024 National Conference is taken from Psalm 27:4 – Behold the Beauty of the Lord. In this image of The Eucharist, Jan van Kessel the Elder, a 17th century Flemish artist, evokes the radiant beauty of the transcendent mystery of the Blessed Sacrament. As the three-year national Eucharistic Revival approaches its final pilgrimage and Congress, we are reminded that we are transformed by what we behold. We aim to behold and contemplate together the aspects of beauty that nourish us in our mission through sacrament, prayer, fellowship, and the richness of the Catholic educational tradition.
Like the psalmist, may we as Catholic educators seek and love what is true, good, and beautiful, so that we may be truly transformed in Christ.
SCHEDULE:
The conference takes place over the course of four days, beginning on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9, and concluding around lunch time on Friday, July 12.
COST FOR 2024:
Member School Rate: $575 per person
Non-Member School Rate: $625 per person (Become an ICLE Member School today!)
Conference registration includes all programming, receptions, and meals (Tuesday dinner through Friday lunch) except Thursday dinner.
LIVESTREAM OPTION:
The Institute for Catholic Liberal Education is pleased to again offer a limited livestreaming option for those who cannot attend the National Conference in person.
Livestream License: $625 per school
Livestream registration includes:
- One school license for live viewing of all plenary sessions and one breakout presentation (pre-selected by ICLE) per breakout block for current faculty and staff members
- Access to recordings for 90 days after the conference.
TITLE FUNDING:
Title funds (federal monies administered by your Local Educational Agency) may be available to help offset participant costs related to this event. Past participants in this event have successfully secured title funding. Please review some helpful information HERE.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CLERGY AND VOWED RELIGIOUS:
A limited number of partial, needs-based scholarships are reserved specifically for clergy and vowed religious interested in participating in this program. If you are a member of the clergy or a vowed religious interested in applying for a scholarship, please complete this scholarship request form.
DETAILS AND INFORMATION:
Visit our In-Person Attendee Information Page for the following important information:
- Travel Details and Transportation Options
- Lodging Options
- Accessibility
- Certificate of Attendance
CANCELLATION POLICY:
For all programs, cancellations received at least 60 days in advance of the event will be honored with a full refund. Cancellations received at least 30 days in advance will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received less than 30 days in advance will receive no refund. Please allow up to 30 days for a refund to be processed.
QUESTIONS:
Please contact Program Manager Megan Fassero with questions: mfassero@CatholicLiberalEducation.org.
2023 National conference
videos available FOR PURCHASE
We are honored to present a Premier Videos Package of plenary and select breakout talks from our 2023 summer conference. Whether you were able to participate in-person, virtually, or even just by viewing these recordings now, we thank you for joining us as we strive to grow in faith, knowledge, and wisdom—and to abide in Him with joyful spirits. View the program below for a full description of included talks and speaker information.