Posted on 03/23/2006 5:38:55 PM PST by sionnsar
Rumor has it that the faculty of the University of the South want to take the motivation of serving God out of the undergraduate program, and no longer wish to be dedicated to enlightment by Christianity in the Anglican tradition. If the faculty actually pass this, it will be time to either fire the faculty and hire Christian professors, or just shut the whole thing down. It is very sad.
Here is the current mission statement, as passed by the Trustees:
UNIVERSITY PURPOSE
The University of the South is an institution of the Episcopal Church dedicated to the increase of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, pursued in close community and in full freedom of inquiry, and enlightened by Christian faith in the Anglican tradition, to the end that students may be prepared to search for truth, seek justice for all, preserve liberty under law, and serve God and humanity.
The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to the development of the whole person through a liberal arts education of exceptional quality. Outstanding students work in close contact with distinguished faculty in a demanding course of humane and scientific study that prepares them for lives of high achievement. Providing rich opportunities for leadership and spiritual growth while grounding its community on a pledge of honor, Sewanee enables students to live with grace, integrity, and a reverent concern for the world.
The School of Theology educates women and men to serve the broad whole of the Episcopal Church in ordained and lay vocations. The School develops leaders who are learned, skilled, informed by the Word of God,* and committed to the mission of Christ’s church, in the Anglican tradition of forming disciples through a common life of prayer, learning, and service. Sewanee’s seminary education and world-wide programs equip people for ministry through the gift of theological reflection in community.
*amended to include these italicized words at the May 6, 2005 meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Here is what the faculty want:
I. Changes in the first paragraph:
The University of the South is an institution of the Episcopal Church dedicated to the increase of knowledge, understanding and wisdom, pursued in close community and in full freedom of inquiry. The University invites students and faculty from diverse backgrounds to participate in its broad array of educational endeavors, guided by the passionate dedication to truth, commitment to justice, and mutual respect. In the spirit of the Anglican tradition, the University of the South seeks to build and sustain a community and world reflected in its motto Ecce Quam Bonum.
II. Changes in the second Paragraph
The College of Arts and Sciences is devoted to the development of the whole person through a liberal arts education. It is committed to the goal of self-examination in the context of a community of critical inquiry based on toleration and mutual respect. Students work in close contact with faculty in a demanding course of humane and scientific study that prepares them for lives of achievement and virtue. Providing rich opportunities for leadership and service while grounding its community on a pledge of honor, Sewanee empowers students to live with insight, integrity, humility, and compassion.
There are no recommended changes for the third paragraph.
What is even more insane is that they reference the motto, and I think they must have forgotten that the motto is a reference to a psalm in, oh my God, the BIBLE. However, with a mission statement like that, motto or not, I doubt the Lord would command a blessing in an institution that doesn’t recognize Him or serve Him.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. They do, and they won't get a cent more from this alumnus.
Tigers, Tigers, leave ‘em in the lurch
Down with the Heathens, Up with the Church!
YEA, SEWANEE’S RIGHT!
(alas, no longer)
Good for you! As an undergrad I determined that my alma mater would not receive a dime from me unless they amended their ways... and in the decades since they've received not a penny from me.
UotS is such a beautiful college. It's a shame that so many historic institutions have gone apostate.
One of my regrets is that my certificate of completion for EFM is from Sewanee and not Trinity—the "embargoed" Episcopal seminary. (For non-Episcopalians, EFM stands for Education for Ministry.) It was an interesting but contentious four years.
Yes indeed, TC
The Episcopal Church had a high school in Sewanee as well.
We left the ECUSA after GC 2003, and ultimately found a happy home in the Catholic Church, where they still believe in God and Scripture . . . wouldn't make much sense to send her back to the apostates.
Washington & Lee has a Catholic parish ON the campus. A real parish, not a "campus ministry". And Davidson has a parish very close by that looks good. Those are probably her first two choices. We should find out within the next two weeks whether they found room for her.
INTREP - Apostasy ALERT
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
It's a little known fact Sewanee was a founding member of the Southeastern Conference. It's hard to imagine that the tiny mountaintop liberal arts college once put a football team on the same field with Alabama, Florida and Tennessee and a basketball team on the same court with Kentucky and LSU.
Of course, Sewanee never won a conference football game (they still hold the SEC record for longest conference losing streak) and dropped out of the SEC after a few years.
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