Conferences
SEEK24: Be the Light (January 1-5, 2024)
What is SEEK?
Each year over Christmas break, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) hosts a national conference called SEEK that brings together thousands of college students to hear from top Catholic speakers and spend time in prayer and fellowship, and Notre Dame Campus Ministry coordinates a group to attend! SEEK is targeted at any college student at any level of faith engagement or practice, and encourages all to take the next step in faith. Attending SEEK with Notre Dame Campus Ministry is open to undergraduate and graduate students from Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College. SEEK24 will take place January 1-5, 2024 in St. Louis, MO.
Who will be speaking?
Some of the top Catholic speakers of our day with be at SEEK24, including Fr. Mike Schmitz, Chika Anyanwu, Paul J. Kim, and Sr. Mary Grace, S.V. Check out the SEEK24 website for the full roster of speakers.
Dates & Location:
Monday - Friday, Jan 1-5, 2024, in Saint Louis, Missouri. SEEK24 will take place at the America’s Center Convention Complex.
Costs:
For up to date information regarding registration costs, please visit the SEEK24 website. Early-bird pricing for the conference is currently $399 for a non-FOCUS campus, which lasts through Thursday, Oct. 26 before prices increase. Registration includes entrance to all conference breakouts, national speaker sessions, and top-rated entertainment, as well as lunch on the three full conference days. Lodging, transportation to / from St. Louis, and any other incidental expenses are not included in the price, and are the responsibility of each registrant.
Funding the cost of attendance:
Attending SEEK comes with a price tag, but we are confident that funding the cost of attendance is possible for any student on any budget who possesses the will to make it happen. In previous years, conference participants have found it helpful to apply for grants and/or fundraise to help offset all or part of their costs associated with attending, including costs related to transportation and housing. Many students start by reaching out to those they know right here in the tri-campus community, including the centers, institutes, academic departments, or clubs with which they are already involved. Beyond those contacts, many also choose to reach out to family and friends back at home, especially people who might otherwise be unable to attend SEEK themselves. Some give by going, others go by giving.
Here are a few ideas:
1. To assist with offsetting the cost of attendance, FOCUS has offered Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College students a $50 registration discount using the code FE50-2024.
2. A limited number of financial assistance grants are available through Campus Ministry for students from Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College, and Holy Cross College. The individual grant amount is dependent on the total number of applicants, but has been ~$100-250 per person in the past. Grants are uniquely applied to offset the cost of SEEK registration, and cannot be used for transportation or lodging. To apply, please complete this short application by Wednesday, Nov. 15. Those receiving a financial assistance grant will be notified by Thanksgiving and given a code to apply to your SEEK account.
3. FOCUS also offers tips for fundraising all or part of the cost of attendance. See our SEEK24 Info Session slides for more suggestions.
If you find yourself with a financial shortage or are interested in brainstorming other fundraising ideas, please contact Brett Perkins at brett.perkins@nd.edu.
How do I register?
Please register for SEEK24 using the SEEK website (https://seek.focus.org). To take advantage of any upcoming grants or discounts, we encourage you to pay only the required minimum down payment ($25) when you register, which will also lock in the early bird pricing available through Thursday, Oct. 26. Please be sure to take note of the cancellation policy and other FAQs before registering.
For more complete information on Notre Dame’s attendance at SEEK24, please review the slides from our SEEK24 Info Session.
Join our ND@SEEK24 GroupMe:
If you’re exploring the possibility of attending SEEK24, join our GroupMe (using the QR code below) for announcements and to connect with others, find roommates, plan carpools, etc.
For a recap of SEEK23, see below:
Contact
Brett Perkins, Assistant Director for Evangelization & Religious Education, brett.perkins@nd.edu +1 574-631-3250