Mission, Convictions and Heritage
St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
- Diversity:
We strive to create a vibrant diverse ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in goals attained and obstacles overcome, and in all things give praise to God.
The Common Good at St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
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 St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
Archbishop John Ireland: Our Founder
St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in large part to serve the immigrant ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ in Minnesota. Ireland named his new school after St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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
“Grant, 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.â€
The Prayer of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Aquinas
St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Aquinas: Our Patron Saint
Archbishop Ireland chose to name the college after St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Aquinas, the most influential scholar in Church history. In doing so, Ireland gave direction to the school based on St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½' 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 St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½
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 St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.
Center for the Common Good
The Center for the Common Good integrates ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ engagement into the fabric of life at St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ partners.
Committed to All Humans Flourishing
Our ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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
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—known today as Iznik in the… The post Tommie Experts: Building Bridges with the Orthodox Church appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
-
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… The post Tales from the Archives: The Grotto appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
-
June 27, 2025
Iowa Judge John Sandy ’07, ’10 J.D., a University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Law alum, 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… The post A Judge Formed by Faith: Interview With John Sandy '07 appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
-
June 18, 2025
Every person who walks through the door of Sitzmann Hall is an embodiment of the Church’s jubilee year theme: Pilgrims of Hope. The Center for Catholic Studies is not an end in itself, nor a place where people come to stay, but rather it is a way station along the pilgrimage route. Students and visitors are equipped,… The post Pilgrims of Hope appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
-
June 18, 2025
In February, 24 people from among the Catholic Studies Advisory Board, university leadership, donors, and friends embarked on an eight-day pilgrimage to Rome. Situated within the Jubilee Year of Hope, this was a remarkable experience of renewal, deeper communion with God, and celebration. We saw Rome through the eyes of our Catholic Studies students: We… The post Pilgrims of Hope in Rome appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.
Expanding Our Impact
St. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ and the world.