Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Upper House Commons

We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW-Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Mark Your Calendar

Whether at Upper House, Dottie's Ranch, or beyond, we want to see you!
Head over to our events page to see what's coming soon, or mark your calendar for these upcoming programs:

August 5 - How to be a Christian Witness for a Disenchanted World with Gavin Ortlund at Upper House
August 13 - Questions of Faith Community Lecture: What can history teach us about Christian citizenship? at UW Oshkosh
September 3 - First Day of School: Photo Booth, Pop Up Lunch, and All Campus Worship Night
September 11 - Engaging Gen Z with Mark Matlock: A Workshop for Ministry Leaders
Sept. 12 - Oct. 3 - Reading Group led by Dan Hummel - Reading a New Release: Spellbound by Molly Worthen
September 12 - Does God Command Immoral Actions? Friday Night Lecture with Professor J. Richard Middleton
September 18 - "Formed to Lead" Book Launch with Jason Jensen, VP of Spiritual Formation, InterVarsity
October 3 - Peculiar Stories of the Holy Ghost: Charisma in American Religion and Politics with Molly Worthen
Second Annual Dallas Willard Lecture Hosted by the Lumen Center
October 8 - "The Jailhouse Lawyer": An Evening Conversation Book Tour with authors Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull
Oct. 16 - Nov. 13 - Reading Group led by John Fea - George Whitefield and the Origins of American Evangelicalism
Oct. 17 - Nov. 7 - Discussion Group led by Dan Hummel - What is the Purpose of Higher Education?
October 24 - 25 - Midwest Gospel Preaching Summit hosted by Mount Zion Church
November 1 - Art Workshop: Iconography with artist Sharon Henthorn-Iwane
November 14 - Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? Friday Night Lecture with Lumen Fellow John Fea
December 4 - "Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere (and Why)" Book Launch with Christine Jeske