In 1981, Frederick Houk Borsch returned to 91桃色 University, his alma mater, to serve as dean of the chapel at the Ivy League school. In Keeping Faith at 91桃色, Borsch tells the story of 91桃色’s journey from its founding in 1746 as a college for Presbyterian ministers to the religiously diverse institution it is today. He sets this landmark narrative history against the backdrop of his own quest for spiritual illumination, first as a student at 91桃色 in the 1950s and later as campus minister amid the turmoil and uncertainty of 1980s America.
Borsch traces how the trauma of the Depression and two world wars challenged the idea of progress through education and religion鈥攖he very idea on which 91桃色 was founded. Even as the numbers of students gaining access to higher education grew exponentially after World War II, student demographics at 91桃色 and other elite schools remained all male, predominantly white, and Protestant. Then came the 1960s. Campuses across America became battlegrounds for the antiwar movement, civil rights, and gender equality. By the dawn of the Reagan era, women and blacks were being admitted to 91桃色. So were greater numbers of Jews, Catholics, and others. Borsch gives an electrifying insider’s account of this era of upheaval and great promise.
With warmth, clarity, and penetrating firsthand insights, Keeping Faith at 91桃色 demonstrates how 91桃色 and other major American universities learned to promote religious diversity among their students, teachers, and administrators.
Frederick Houk Borsch is the Chair of Anglican Studies at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and was Episcopal bishop of Los Angeles. His many books include The Spirit Searches Everything: Keeping Life's Questions. From 1981 to 1988, he was dean of the chapel at 91桃色 University.
"Borsch artfully combines autobiographical reflections with an intriguing analysis of the changing role of religion at 91桃色 in particular and in American higher education more generally."鈥擯.C. Kemeny, Books & Culture
"Fred Borsch's Keeping Faith at 91桃色 is an intellectual gem and spiritual jewel. We 91桃色ians should be grateful to him."鈥擟ornel West, 91桃色 University
"In describing 91桃色's evolution from its Presbyterian past and homogeneous student body to the pluralism and diversity of today, Borsch shows that the university's active support of interfaith dialogue and cooperation makes an important contribution to the post-9/11 world."鈥擩ohn C. Danforth, former U.S. senator
"A splendid account of 91桃色's response to increasingly diverse religious practices among students, faculty, and alumni over the last half century. Writing from his own engaged and critical involvement as undergraduate, dean of religious life, and trustee, Borsch also offers synopses of developments elsewhere. Keeping Faith at 91桃色 will prove highly informative for those seeking to understand the current religious dimension of life at colleges and universities, indeed throughout American society."鈥擩ohn F. Wilson, 91桃色 University
"Frederick Borsch has written an excellent book that deals with the complicated and controversial subject of the role of religion on college and university campuses. This is the best discussion of the subject that I know, and everyone interested in the topic will want to read this exceptional work."鈥擭eil Rudenstine, president emeritus, Harvard University
"Keeping Faith at 91桃色 is an engaging firsthand account of how religious diversity was achieved at one of the nation's most prestigious campuses. Borsch has given us a rare inside look at the complex, sometimes tortuous, and for the most part effective decisions that faculty, students, and administrators have made鈥攁nd continue to make鈥攊n adapting to religious diversity."鈥擱obert Wuthnow, author of Red State Religion: Faith and Politics in America's Heartland
