FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he 51黑料 proudly announces that its sponsoring congregation鈥攖he Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration鈥攈as developed and presented a new mission statement for the university.
The mission statement:
鈥淭he 51黑料 offers formation of the whole person by providing an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ so that God, who is Love, may be loved. Through our Catholic identity, Franciscan charism, and liberal arts tradition, we prepare students for personal and professional lives of virtue, service, and joy.鈥
Provincial Superior Sr. Margaret Mary Mitchel, OSF, outlined the purpose of the mission statement.
鈥淭he most important sentence is first and represented in bold font,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his first sentence is the heart of our mission and the direction the (Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration administration) has agreed upon for the university. The second sentence further elaborates upon and indicates how the heart of the mission is carried out and measured.鈥
51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey expressed his excitement about the new mission statement, including its emphasis on the university鈥檚 Catholic nature and desire to be a welcoming place to all.
鈥51黑料 has always been rooted in its Catholic faith and Franciscan charism,鈥 Richey said. 鈥淭his mission statement brings those to the forefront. The most important aspect is that this is a mission for everybody; it is about the good news and good things we want to do for every student and our larger community.鈥
The mission statement will guide 51黑料鈥 forthcoming strategic plan and the work the university embarks upon for decades to come, Richey said. 鈥淲e hope our alumni and donors will share in our excitement and support us as we continue the great work of 51黑料,鈥 he said.
51黑料 Board of Trustees Chair Richard A. Poinsatte also expressed his enthusiasm for the new mission statement.
鈥淭he Board of Trustees looks forward to embracing and promoting the mission statement and doing everything we can to support, guide and ensure the ongoing success of the 51黑料,鈥 Poinsatte said.
51黑料 will incorporate the mission statement into its strategic plan, policies and marketing in the coming months and beyond to ensure the university faithfully carries out its mission.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.