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Return to About AJCU > Resources and Publications > Mission and Identity Activity at Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the United States > Table of Contents
Marquette University
Mission Statement
The University's mission statement (revised April, 1998) reads in part:
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university, dedicated to serving God by serving our students and contributing to the advancement of knowledge. Our mission, therefore, is the search for truth, the discovery and sharing of knowledge, the fostering of personal and professional excellence, the promotion of a life of faith, and the development of leadership in service to others...
As a Catholic university, we are committed to the unfettered pursuit of truth under the mutually illuminating powers of human intelligence and Christian faith. Our Catholic identity is expressed in our choices of curricula, our sponsorship of programs and activities devoted to the cultivation of our religious character, our ecumenical outlook, and our support of Catholic beliefs and values. Precisely because Catholicism at its best seeks to be inclusive, we are open to all who share our mission and seek the truth about God and the world, and we are firmly committed to academic freedom as the necessary precondition for that search.
As a Jesuit university, Marquette embodies the intellectual and religious traditions of the Society of Jesus. Through an academically-rigorous, values-centered curriculum, our students receive a firm grounding in the liberal arts, preparation for work in a world of increasing complexity and diversity, and formation for life as ethical and informed leaders in their religious, cultural, professional and civic communities.
Through both our academic and co-curricular programs, Marquette strives to develop men and women who will dedicate their lives to the service of others, actively entering in the struggle for a more just society.
Structure
Established in 1998, the Office of Mission and Identity exists to advance the awareness and realization of Marquette's mission in every dimension of University life. Housed in the Office of the President, it oversees University Ministry, the Manresa Project and the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and maintains an ongoing dialogue with key university offices (Provost's Office, Office of the Senior Vice President, College Offices, Student Affairs and the like) in order to support their efforts in the area of mission effectiveness.
The Office is comprised of an Executive Director, an Associate Director and an Office Assistant. The Executive Director reports directly to the President and serves as a member of the University Leadership Council.
Orientation Programs
Orientation of faculty, staff and administration includes the annual "New Folks' Convocation," an all-day orientation to the Jesuit/Catholic heritage and identity of the University.
In addition to this annual event, new employees are also invited to attend one of the monthly orientation sessions sponsored by Human Resources, which include a one-hour overview of the University's mission, an exploration of the new employee's role in that mission, and an introduction to various spiritual and mission-education resources on campus.
The Faculty Seminar on Catholic Identity is an initiative that began in the fall of 2003. Each spring semester, a group of ten young faculty is selected by the Deans to meet weekly for seminar discussions on the history of Catholic higher education, Jesuit pedagogy, and the vocation of teaching and research.
Facilitated by a member of the Theology Department and sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Seminar's purpose is to educate and form a new generation of faculty, and create an interdisciplinary community of young scholars who will lead the University knowledgeably into the future.
New Student Convocation is an event for new students, sponsored by the Provost's Office, which includes an address by the President about the mission of the University and its implications for students.
A one-day orientation introduces all new Marquette Trustees to their roles and responsibilities on the Board. Mission orientation is one component of this introductory experience for Trustees, and mission topics are addressed frequently in Board committees and plenary sessions.
Ongoing Educational Programs
The Manresa Project, funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., is focused on the theological exploration of vocation. Each element of Manresa is designed to help students, faculty and staff ask important questions about meaning, purpose, life's journey, and using one's gifts and talents to serve God.
Student programs include:
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A Manresa Speaker Series that has brought to campus notable figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and author Ann Lamott;
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Internship and Scholarship programs that offer both undergraduates and graduate students opportunities to explore professional church ministry;
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A Christian Leadership retreat for first-year students who have been selected for their demonstrated leadership, academic talent, and interest in service;
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Destination Dinners, featuring remarks by alumni/ae and community leaders who see their work as a vocation;
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Sponsorship of a weekend retreat for up to 60 faculty at a Jesuit retreat house.
The Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality is dedicated to the promotion of Ignatian spirituality among faculty and staff. The Center's offerings include:
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Retreats in daily life and 19th annotation retreats
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Spiritual direction, individually and in groups
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Discussion and reflection groups
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Days and evenings of reflection and other opportunities for exploring spirituality in every day life
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Prayer groups exploring different methods of prayer
The Office convenes quarterly the Arrupe Seminar for deans and vice presidents, at which members of the University leadership meet to discuss articles and books on various themes of Jesuit, Catholic higher education and Ignatian Spirituality.
Workshops or Retreats for University Departments, Divisions or Committees are available by request, and often focus on how the mission can be understood and enfleshed by a particular group on campus.
The Office of Mission and Identity convenes administrators and faculty on occasion to explore the topic of Hiring for Mission.
Mission Week occurs in the first week of February, and offers students, faculty and staff the opportunity to reflect on the University's larger purposes. Typically, a major speaker is featured (Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2003, President Lech Walesa in 2004, Arun Gandhi in 2005, Paul Russesabagina in 2006 and Lynn Brewer in 2007), accompanied by ancillary lectures and discussions, mini-retreats, a campus liturgy, prayer services, programs in the arts, group service opportunities, and film showings.
The Office has sponsored a lecture series titled "Gathering Points: Tracking the Spirit in Troubled Times" as a service to our students and the Milwaukee Catholic community. Gathering Points was created to provide opportunities for Catholics of all perspectives and backgrounds to come together prayerfully, in order to enrich their understanding and engage in substantive dialogue about Church issues. Recent speakers have included Peter Steinfels, John Allen, Sr. Katarina Schuth, OSF, Dr. R. Scott Appleby and Rev. John O'Malley, S.J.
Spiritual Exercises/Retreats
A paid Retreat Leave of 2 days (which may be matched with an equal number of vacation and/or personal days) is offered to full-time administrators and staff to encourage them to take advantage of off-campus retreat offerings. Administered through the Office of Mission and Identity, this retreat benefit is further enriched by the Manresa Project, which provides funding for any Marquette employee who makes a spiritual retreat.
Retreats and days of reflection are offered and may also be requested for offices or departments. The Office of Mission and Identity provides some individual spiritual direction and pastoral counseling, as well as referrals for all members of the University community who request them.
Recognition Awards
The University's two major employee awards - the Excellence in University Service Award and the Teaching Excellence Award - both stress the mission of the university in their criteria.
Additionally, various student awards (the Pedro Arrupe Award, the Association of Marquette University Women Ignatian Award, the Cura Personalis Award, and 100 annual Leadership Recognition Awards) highlight the University's mission statement by honoring those who have distinguished themselves in support of the mission.
Miscellaneous
The Simmons Religious Commitment Fund distributes modest amounts of funding to projects that support the mission and identity of Marquette. The Office of Residence Life promotes several Jesuit themes (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Cura Personalis, "Men and Women for Others," Magis, etc.) as the basis for programming in the residence halls.
The Mission Council serves as an advisory group to the Office of Mission and Identity. Men and women from faculty, staff and administrators as well as a person from outside the university and student representatives make up the Council. Their mission is to insure that programs are effective and creative and there is greater mission integration across the campus.
Updated: 12/11/2007
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