The Spiritual Formation of Recent College Graduates and Residence Life Influences Attributed to the Spiritual Formation

This study investigated the spiritual formation experience of alumni from a Midwest Christian college six months to five years after graduation and the spiritual formation factors they attribute to their Residence Life experience. The data revealed that alumni persist in their Christian faith, and seek growth in Christian beliefs, attitudes, and experiences. Findings regarding Residence Life were consistent with the literature, revealing that the most significant source of spiritual formation for alumni are peer relationships, interactions, and conversations. Programming was not a significant factor in a student’s spiritual formation. This study led to several recommendations for application including a re-orienting of Residence Life’s mindset regarding spiritual formation. This mindset would conclude that the most spiritually significant role is that of community facilitation and development, the context for most spiritual formation. Recommendations for further study include studying specific aspects of peer relationships, interactions, and conversations that may be spiritually influential