"The American Experiment"

I'm just back from the University of Portland, and the Garaventa Center's conference on "The American Experiment in Religious Freedom."  It was an excellent event, with many engaging and provocative talks (Justice Scalia on one day, Sen. Leahy on the other, etc.), and lots of conversation with old and new friends, former students, my confirmation sponsor, whom I had not seen in 20 years, and, of course, MOJ readers and bloggers! 

I was struck by what great strides the University is making.  There are real opportunities, I think, in that part of the country, for a school like the University of Portland (and for the Center) to make a difference for good.