![Students walking passed Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas](/_media-library/_images/mission/1920x1080/stthomas-mission-view-of-iversen-center-from-upper-quad.jpg)
Mission, Convictions and Heritage
St. Thomas Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas 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.
![Statue of Arch Bishop John Ireland](/_media-library/_images/mission/1200x800/stthomas-mission-common-good-video.jpg)
The Common Good at St. Thomas
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. Thomas.
![St. Thomas Arches](/_media-library/_images/mission/1920x1080/stthomas-mission-prayer-on-arches.jpg)
“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.”
Catholic Traditions and Teaching
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
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. Thomas 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
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. Thomas 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.”
![Charism chart with circles of text](/_media-library/_images/mission/1200x800/stthomas-mission-charism-chart.jpg)
Our Gift to Serve
Charism of St. Thomas
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. Thomas 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
Campus Ministry
Center for the Common Good
Committed to All Humans Flourishing
Care for Our Common Home
Support for Mind, Body and Spirit
Faith and Mission News
Father Mike Schmitz ’03 MDiv, host of the “Bible in a Year” and “Catechism in a Year” podcasts and a contributor to Ascension, served as a keynote speaker at the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. Before that, he met with reporters to answer questions ranging from how to minister to youth online to how… The post VIDEO: Saint Paul Seminary Alum Father Mike Schmitz on Ministering appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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August 5, 2024
Father Nick Vance is too young to remember. But like every parent, Deacon Chris Vance and his wife Leila dressed young Nick every day during his first few years of life. It was surreal, then, when Father Nick Vance – then Deacon Nick Vance – had the opportunity to vest his father at the Archdiocese… The post ‘My Father’s Son’: Some Priest Alumni Now Have a Rare Bond With Their Dads, Who Are Also Ordained appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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July 31, 2024
Until recently, Father Michael Skluzáček kept an office in The Saint Paul Seminary administrative wing with a handful of small, wooden ducks on the desk. They’re an homage to his upbringing on a dairy farm six miles outside of Lonsdale, Ƶ – a town of less than 5,000 on the outer edge of the Archdiocese… The post Saint Paul Seminary Director of Pastoral Formation Retires After 44 Years of Priesthood appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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July 26, 2024
Father Kevin Thomas Kenney, a St. Thomas alumnus who is adjunct faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Theology Department at the University of St. Thomas, has been tapped by Pope Francis to become an auxiliary bishop with the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Kenney earned degrees in business administration and Spanish from… The post Pope Francis Names St. Thomas Alum Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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July 8, 2024
Gloria Frost, a philosophy Ƶ in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas, was recently named by the Vatican Secretary of State to the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas. Frost is only the fifth woman to be appointed to the academy since its founding in 1879 and the first… The post Philosophy Professor Named to Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Expanding Our Impact
St. Thomas 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.