Posted on 02/17/2015 4:07:07 AM PST by marshmallow
A New Jesuit Approach to Higher Education?
Gonzaga University graduate Autumn Jones asks a provocative question in a December 30 piece for The Atlantic, “The New Brand of Jesuit Universities.” Jones chronicles a rebranding effort by Jesuit universities across the country, and considers “whether this rebranding attenuates the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church.” In search of an answer, Jones solicits comments from Jesuit faculty members, students, and administrators.
Running throughout the piece is a straw man argument, expressed by some interviewees, namely: Catholic universities can either “fall in line” with the Church, or they can be “places where young adults are encouraged to think critically.” Few of those interviewed seem to believe that a Catholic university can be both authentically Catholic and of the highest intellectual caliber.
Academics who find Catholic identity and academic rigor to be opposed to one another tend to be those most invested in the drive to make Catholic universities “contemporary” and “competent.” According to defenders of this view, Catholic universities must “balance” mission and identity with the need to be modern. Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh spoke to this issue in the Atlantic piece: “There is a tension between the desire to be strongly identified as Jesuit and Catholic and the desire to respond effectively to the call to be a contemporary, competent university in North America. How do you accomplish that without compromise?”
As the parent of two graduates of Gonzaga, I lament the weakening of Jesuit universities’ Catholic identity. At the same time, however, I am persuaded that Gonzaga University and others can be strong in Catholic identity and be “contemporary, competent universities in North America” if university leaders can find the will to mend and maintain their universities’ commitment to their Catholic mission.
Autumn Jones points out in the article that Catholic....
(Excerpt) Read more at firstthings.com ...
“...but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33
So in other words the Bishops are finally following through on the threat to strip them of their Catholic identity and the Jesuits are spinning.
The Jesuits haven't been Catholic for decades.
Marquette is trying to deny their Catholic roots also (google John McAdams). This really is silly as it used to be a selling point. Now they want to be just like every other university, so what sets them apart, other than the higher price tag?
Maybe they don’t want to be sued for false advertising...
Good thing the University of Dallas is close to where we live. I'm done nudging my son to follow in his Dad's footsteps.
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