Father Frank Case, S.J. has been at Gonzaga for a little more than a year now, serving as the Vice President for Mission. He recently discussed Gonzaga’s mission and the importance of the University maintaining its Catholic identity in the recent edition of Gonzaga Giving.
Below are a few of his responses that didn’t make the print edition.
How are Jesuit tradition and education linked at Gonzaga?
“Education of the whole person is central,” Fr. Case said. Also key, he noted, was “concern for the individual person, a liberal education, academic excellence and providing opportunities for all students to develop a mature faith-relationship with God.”
Fr. Case also discussed the importance of preparing students for leadership roles and working towards “a more just and humane world, global engagement and (developing) critical and reflective thinking.” Additionally, he stressed the need for “becoming persons for and with others, solidarity with the poor and concern for a responsible and sustainable use of creation.”
What is the future of Gonzaga’s mission?
“There seems to be a rather general agreement that this 30-year-old articulation of our mission could use some touching up. But while the statement may end up being altered, the mission itself will remain intact.”