Registration for The Art of Interfaith is now open.
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For Morgan Williams '25 and Ryan Gibbons '25, this year's Ripple conference is an opportunity to teach their colleagues to view religious differences as opportunities for connection rather than division.
As co-directors of Elon's student-led Interfaith Conference, they strive to create inclusive spaces where people of all religious, spiritual and ethical identities can come together, engage in dialogue, and co-create a more inclusive and equitable future.
“Interfaith to me means combining understanding and curiosity across different perspectives,” Williams said. “This can be comprehensive, such as the intersectionality between spirituality and the environment or with music. It means being open-minded and willing to see what someone else is about, how their worldview impacts their life, and to use what you learn for yourself or to share it with others.”
The Ripple Conference: Impact Far Beyond Elon
Now in its ninth year, the Ripple Conference remains a cornerstone of the multifaith work of the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Designed by a multifaith intern at the Truitt Center, Ripple brings together students and young adults to build community through active interfaith engagement.
This year's theme, “The Art of Interfaith,” explores how artistic expression can inspire collaboration, stimulate creativity, and promote dialogue and understanding. From February 21 to 23, 2025, participants will take part in reflections, dialogues and training on this topic.
Registration is now openwith special early bird discounts for the Elon community.
For Gibbons, this issue is deeply personal.
“I’m really excited to explore the theme this year,” Gibbons said. “Art is a big part of my identity, especially music performance. Finding ways to explore the intersection between artistic expression and religion is of great interest to me and has a lot of depth.”
A transformative experience
Ripple offers participants the opportunity to develop bridging skills and meaningfully connect with others through a range of experiences. The conference features a keynote speaker, panels, interactive workshops, class prayers, a community art project, the Sacred Sounds Coffee House and a service project.
“Ripple is such a meaningful experience,” said Gibbons, who has run the Sacred Sounds Coffee House event for three years. “I was able to shape it for most of my college experience. When I became principal my senior year, it felt like the culmination of all the hard work I put into promoting interfaith on our campus.”
Last year's conference brought together participants from eight university campuses and a service corps group, making it the largest student-led interfaith conference in the region. Williams, a second-year multifaith intern who served as a public relations and marketing coordinator last year, is looking forward to building on that momentum.
“I’m really excited to help make Ripple even better than last year,” she said. “I know how much people enjoyed it and I’m determined to bring even more experience and insight this year.”
From the theme and keynote speakers to logistics, marketing and programming, Ripple is entirely student-run and supported by conference advisor Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement.
“Come for the arts, the services, the music and the interdisciplinary experiences,” Williams urged. “Leave with new connections, new perspectives, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.”
More about the Ripple conference
Early bird registration for the Ripple conference is now open and runs until January 1st.
For registration information, visit rippleconference.org.
Elon students, faculty and staff are invited to contact conference advisor Hillary Zaken or co-directors Ryan Gibbons or Morgan Williams with any questions and to receive codes for discounted attendance for Elon students, faculty and staff.
You can register, apply for leadership roles, and view additional conference details as they become available on the conference website. Opportunities include leading breakout sessions, community groups, affinity groups, or performing at Sacred Sounds Coffee House.
For more information and updates about the Ripple Conference, follow Elon University's Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life on Instagram and Facebook and visit the Truitt Center website or the Ripple Conference page.