The Office of Mission
Welcome From the Vice President for Mission
Welcome to FranU, where we are committed to providing you an education that is deeply shaped by our mission. When we say that we will form students from "all faiths", it means that every student is welcome at FranU, regardless of what faith background you might have. Our claim to "educate and form Franciscan servant leaders" comes from our conviction that you will flourish best as a human being when you learn to serve others, "to serve rather than to be served." (Matt 20:28)
In preparing our students as "highly skilled professionals" we are committed to a rigorous education that will prepare you to serve others in your field and eventually as a leader in your career. Our education will require you to become an "integrated thinker" who can put faith and reason in conversation with each other, rather than at odds with each other, so that you can come to also integrate your spiritual and professional lives. As a future "faith-filled citizen" we hope to prepare you to serve in your profession, in your personal life, in your religious life and in the life of the communities you find yourselves in.
As a Catholic institution we are committed to exposing you to the riches of the Catholic and Franciscan Intellectual Traditions, rooted in an encounter with Jesus Christ, while also affirming all that is true and good outside of the Catholic faith. You will be exposed to a variety of ways of thinking and encountering the world, especially through service-learning and other experiences. We will treat every student with the intrinsic dignity that comes from being made in the image and likeness of God.
The role of the mission office is to support the FranU community—faculty, staff and students—
in achieving these commitments. As part of our community, every person is responsible for helping fulfill our mission and we look forward to your participation in it!
Sincerely,