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Delegates from SLU who attended the Heartland III Conference have good news and great news.
The good news? SLU has come a long way in living up to its potential as a Jesuit institution. The great news? Expect the University to get even better.
The conference, held May 22 to 25 at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., provided a forum in which faculty, staff and administrators from 11 Jesuit colleges and universities discussed the changing environment of Jesuit higher education.
"We wanted participants to recognize how each of us are part of the mission of Jesuit higher education, and we hoped to strengthen our connection to this Ignatian heritage," said Mary Flick, assistant vice president of University mission and ministry. "We wanted to celebrate our common mission and specifically look at how each person can make a difference at SLU."
Participants -- including 21 staff, 18 faculty members and six administrators from SLU -- discussed what excited them at the conference and what they would like to see develop when they returned to campus.
"As we explored our beliefs as a Jesuit community, I was struck by the unity of belief in human dignity and the goodness of mankind despite the horrors we see on the news," said Darina Sargeant, assistant professor of physical therapy.
Upon returning, participants agreed the University should simplify and clarify the mission statement, look at development of mission-based orientation and discernment programs for faculty and staff, present some mission programs to students and get more involvement from the administration in mission activities.
The conference also reinforced the strides SLU has made in fulfilling its mission.
"So many people commented on how refreshing it was to see how many good things we are already doing in sharing our mission with lay faculty and staff," Flick said. "Saint Louis University is one of the leaders in that area and at the forefront of that work. We felt that it was important to tell people we really are doing a lot of good things here. We need to take pride in that."
Participants from the conference, who also reflected on their experience during the Journey Reunion Luncheon held Oct. 26, admit that making SLU better requires a University-wide effort.
"To make Heartland concrete, we all need to be people dedicated to serving others day-in, day- out, whatever may be our professional pursuit," Sargeant said.
Flick said the theme of the Heartland Conference, "Choosing to Make a Difference," is applicable to all University staff and employees.
"Each of us has a role to play in making a difference in how this University is and remains Jesuit," Flick said.
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