REGISTER BELOW
Presented by the Lumen Christi Institute’s Newman Forum. Open to current high school students. This conference is cosponsored by the University of Saint Mary of the Lake at Mundelein Seminary, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Vocation Office. For more information, please email Margaux Taffet at newmanforum@lumenchristi.org.
What is the relationship between the past and the present? And how can this relationship prepare us for our future? How do we think about the past in a world fixated on the new? If our world is constantly changing, what does it mean to profess eternal truths?
On February 21, 2026, the Newman Forum’s “Back to the Future!” conference will gather high school students at the University of St. Mary of the Lake to discover the fascinating realities of everyday and misunderstood scientific, historical, literary, and religious topics. Students will meet with presenters and discuss the wonders of science, the lessons of history, the beauty of literature, and the mysteries of faith.
Students will get to pick three 20-minute “lightning round” presentations. Presentation topics may include: “Is there time in heaven?” “Did the Medieval world make modern science possible?” “Was St. Augustine anxious?” “What would Aristotle say about post-modern art?” or “Does the past still matter?”
PROGRAM
- Registration
- Welcome & Opening Prayer
- Lightning Round Talks by invited professors and graduate students from the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, and other Universities
- Lunch at the USML dining hall
- Office Hours to engage with the faculty and learn about their interest, research, and school
- Eucharistic Adoration
COST
$15 by Friday, January 30 | $30 after Friday, January 30th
$10/participant for groups over 10.
Please register a group of 9 or fewer using this “Individual Ticket” option. Indicate the number of participants you are registering, and record their names.
For a group of 10 or more, please register using this “Group Ticket” option. Indicate the number of participants you are registering, and record their names. For example, if you are registering a group of 30, be sure to select 30 tickets.