Values of Exemplary Jesuit College Graduates

Authors

Rev. Patrick Lynch S.J., Department of Religious Studies & Theology, Canisius CollegeFollow
Gordon Meyer Ph.D., Department of Management, Canisius CollegeFollow
Pat Mixak Ph.D., Assistant Vice-President, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness, Ringling College of Art & DesignFollow
Christie Adamczak, Canisius CollegeFollow
Kevin M. Scott, Canisius CollegeFollow

Document Type

Scholarship

Abstract

What values do undergraduates adopt and internalize as a result of their college experiences at a Catholic Jesuit college/university? In an attempt to answer this question, the authors chose 21 exemplary graduates from 2000-2007 at a Catholic, Jesuit college in the northeastern part of the United States and conducted a ten question intensive interview with each of them. After transcribing and coding the interviews, it was discovered that these graduates had a strong grasp of such Jesuit ideals as “men and women for others,” “educating the whole person,” “cura personalis,” and “magis,” but apparently a weaker grasp of the more recent Jesuit emphasis on diversity and social justice. Faculty and members of the campus ministry staff had a strong influence on helping these graduates to develop a better sense of Jesuit values. Campus ministry activities, service and immersion trips, and research with faculty helped those interviewed to learn and practice Jesuit values.

Recommended Citation

Lynch, Rev. Patrick S.J.; Meyer, Gordon Ph.D.; Mixak, Pat Ph.D.; Adamczak, Christie; and Scott, Kevin M.. "Values of Exemplary Jesuit College Graduates." Jesuit Higher Education: A Journal Vol. 1: No. 2 (2012) . Available at: https://epublications.regis.edu/jhe/vol1/iss2/15