Focus on Catholic identity at America's Jesuit colleges, universities

December 31, 2014

Writing for The Atlantic, Autumn Jones looks at the approach taken by Jesuit-run colleges and universities in the US, especially in their approach to maintaining a distinctive Catholic identity.

"A typical kid in the U.S. has one toe in his Catholic upbringing and a foot solidly planted in the secular American culture," observes Father Michael Sheeran, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Many schools respond by promoting a "Jesuit" identity.

"We hide the word ‘Catholic’ from prospective students," said Traci McBee, who helps oversee fundraising efforts at Regis University. "We focus on the Jesuit piece rather than the Catholic piece. We’re able to transform a little quicker because we are not waiting for the archbishop to give us permission. We don’t have to ask the Pope when we want to make changes."

 

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Further information:

• The New Brand of Jesuit Universities (Atlantic)