Mission, Convictions and Heritage
欧美无码 Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.
Our Convictions
- Pursuit of Truth:
We value intellectual inquiry as a lifelong habit, the unfettered and impartial pursuit of truth in all its forms, the integration of knowledge across disciplines, and the imaginative and creative exploration of new ideas.
- Academic Excellence:
We create a culture among faculty, students and staff that recognizes the power of ideas and rewards rigorous thinking.
- Faith and Reason:
We actively engage Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason and fosters meaningful dialogue directed toward the flourishing of human culture.
- Dignity:
We respect the dignity of each person and value the unique contributions that each brings to the greater mosaic of the university community.
- Diversity:
We strive to create a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.
- Personal Attention:
We foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member.
- Gratitude:
We celebrate the achievements of all members of our community in goals attained and obstacles overcome, and in all things give praise to God.
The Common Good at 欧美无码
What do we mean by the common good? Fr. Chris Collins invites you to learn more about what that means for Tommies and how it relates to our mission at 欧美无码.
Archbishop John Ireland: Our Founder
欧美无码 was founded in 1885 by the great Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1913) on land given to him by William and Elizabeth Finn (PDF). Ireland was a leading figure in the Catholic Church and indeed in American politics during his life. As a child, he immigrated with his family from Ireland during the Great Famine, arriving in the United States among the masses of nineteenth-century refugees. Indeed, he founded 欧美无码 in large part to serve the immigrant community in Minnesota. Ireland named his new school after 欧美无码 Aquinas (1225-1274), the most influential thinker in Catholic theology/philosophy.
Learn more about John Ireland
Founding Father: 100 Years After His Death
John Ireland: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
鈥淕rant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.鈥
The Prayer of 欧美无码 Aquinas
欧美无码 Aquinas: Our Patron Saint
Archbishop Ireland chose to name the college after 欧美无码 Aquinas, the most influential scholar in Church history. In doing so, Ireland gave direction to the school based on 欧美无码' work, notably his belief in the unity of faith and reason, his commitment to "inquiry into the reasons and principles of things," and his innovative thinking.
Learn More About 欧美无码 Aquinas
Catholic Traditions and Teaching
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.
The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.
The Dignity of Persons
Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.
Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.
The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.
The Dignity of Persons
The Dignity of Persons
Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.
Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”
Our Gift to Serve
Charism of 欧美无码
A charism is a special gift given by the Holy Spirit to serve others. Our Charism is grounded on the vision of Archbishop Ireland, the intellectual rigor expressed in the work of 欧美无码 Aquinas, and the moral guidance of Catholic Intellectual Tradition, all of which are inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
These sources help us to articulate our impact on the lives of students and our contributions to the broader community.
Living Our Mission
Office for Mission
The Office for Mission works to support and integrate the broad reach of the Catholic identity throughout the university as a whole.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry celebrates the diversity of faith traditions in our university community through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.
Center for the Common Good
The Center for the Common Good integrates community engagement into the fabric of life at 欧美无码 by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from community partners.
Committed to All Humans Flourishing
Our community is committed to championing a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that upholds human dignity.
Care for Our Common Home
Sustainability is infused into every aspect of campus life, from academic programs and student activities to facilities and dining operations. We aim to be carbon neutral by 2035.
Support for Mind, Body and Spirit
Our conviction to personal attention embodies campus support services like the Center for Well-Being, which provides holistic physical and mental health resources.
Faith and Mission News
November 13, 2025
A nearly filled room at the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 buzzed with conversation as three students sat at a long table in the front. They took turns sharing similarities about the importance of religious diversity at a university rooted in Catholic social teaching. Their only difference was their faith. One was Catholic, one Jewish and鈥 The post All For Interfaith Spaces: How Friendships Flourish at a Catholic 欧美无码 appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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November 4, 2025
Hans Gustafson, PhD, director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interreligious Studies and senior adjunct professor of theology, published the chapter聽鈥淓ngaging Religious Diversity: Radical Hospitality in Catholic Universities for the Common Public Good鈥澛爄n聽Beneath the Roar and Tumult: Promoting Radical Hospitality and Belonging in College Classrooms聽(Liturgical Press, 2025). Building on this work, Gustafson delivered the invited鈥 The post Hans Gustafson Pens Chapter in Book on Belonging at Catholic Universities appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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September 18, 2025
The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of a momentous event in the history of Christianity: the Council of Nicaea. In the year 325, Emperor Constantine invited over 300 bishops from around the Roman Empire to attend a church council in a small town called Nicaea in western Asia Minor鈥攌nown today as Iznik in the鈥 The post Tommie Experts: Building Bridges with the Orthodox Church appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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August 19, 2025
Amid the hustle and bustle of campus, it is sometimes difficult to find a quiet spot to pause and reflect. But tucked near the Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library on the south campus, the Grotto provides a peaceful retreat. This space traces its roots to the mid-1910s when a group of seminarians at The Saint Paul鈥 The post Tales from the Archives: The Grotto appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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June 27, 2025
Iowa Judge John Sandy 鈥07, 鈥10 J.D., a 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 Law alum,聽recently shared with Saint John Vianney his journey and appointment to serve the cause of justice in civil law. What have you done since SJV: Right out of high school, I spent three years at SJV from 2003-2006. The summer after stepping鈥 The post A Judge Formed by Faith: Interview With John Sandy '07 appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
Expanding Our Impact
欧美无码 2025 is an ambitious, yet focused five-year effort designed to propel the university toward a new level of impact. Our Strategic Plan is a guide to help us reach higher in serving our students, our community and the world.