The Jon C. Dalton Institute on College Student Values is an annual conference for student affairs professionals, educators, campus ministers, graduate and undergraduate students interested in character development

in college students. First held in 1991, the Dalton Institute is concerned with five broad areas of interests:

• Trends in college students’ values
• Ethical issues in college life
• Character building educational models and strategies
• Moral development research
• Civic education

The Dalton Institute provides an opportunity to learn about the most current issues, research, and educational activities pertaining to character education in college. In addition, the Dalton Institute is designed to be a “think tank” for individuals who have particular interests in exploring more effective ways to promote civic education and the ethical development of college students. Originally called the Institute on College Student Values, the conference was renamed in 2010 (at the 20th Institute) as the Jon C. Dalton Institute on College Student Values to honor the work and commitment of Dr. Jon C. Dalton, the Institute’s Founder and perennial Faculty-in-Residence. In 2010, Dalton retired from teaching in the Higher Education program at Florida State University. Dalton served as the Vice President for Student Affairs at FSU before entering his role as a full-time faculty member. He is a past president of NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education), serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of College and Character, and has won numerous awards including NASPA’s Pillar of the Profession in 2001 and NASPA’s John L. Blackburn Distinguished Pillar Award in 2015.

Our Logo

The first Institute on College Student values was held at Wakulla Springs Conference Center on the Florida Gulf Coast in 1991. The egret, a native of the warm Gulf waters, represents tranquility and serenity and was present that first weekend. It been the Institute’s mascot since our inception.

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