August means final preparations for
We challenge our students and ourselves
welcoming yet another talented and vibrant
to be diligent in searching for the truth
group of students, including members of the
through our rigorous academic programs.
new Class of 2012 and our returning stu-
Intellectual inquiry through research is
through service programs as they volunteer
dents. The energy of our educational mis-
central to a college’s Catholic identity, and
time to organizations both locally and
sion on-campus and beyond is invigorating.
this year our students and faculty were
globally. This spring and summer, students
In April, I had the honor of attending
prolific in their research. Faculty made
participated in international mission trips
an address by Pope Benedict XVI during
presentations at 35 conferences and profes-
to South Africa, Ecuador and Swaziland,
his historic pastoral journey to the United
sional meetings and 37 students had the
and also served here in the United States
States. The Holy Father spoke to a small
opportunity to share their research at these
in Boston, New Orleans and Phoenix. Our
group of educators at The Catholic
conferences, as well. This research takes
students are active in spiritual retreats,
University of America in Washington,
place on campus and through partnerships
Liturgical celebrations and gospel reflection
D.C., voicing his strong support of Catholic
with institutions throughout the city of
through our Campus Ministry programs,
higher education. He noted, “First and fore-
Boston.
and engage in discussions of contemporary
most, every Catholic educational institution
Through our Values-Based Education
Students find ways to live their values
theological and social justice issues with
is a place to encounter the living God who
Program, faculty and students constantly
Sisters of Notre Dame from around the
in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love
consider ethical issues both in their studies
world through our Center for Mission and
and truth”….which draws people “by the
and in the world around them. Seminars,
Spirituality.
very power of the Gospel to lead a new life
which have included topics such as “The
characterized by all that is beautiful, good
Catholic Intellectual Tradition” and
Catholic higher education, and graduates
and true.”
“History and the Liberal Arts,” have given
inspire us everyday by how they live their
Pope Benedict XVI’s visit called college
new faculty especially the tools to initiate
lives. I so appreciate the ways in which our
communities to reflect on what it means to
discussions in the classroom. Innovative
alumni give back to the College and stay
be a Catholic college. In our conversations
team-taught courses like “Current Issues in
connected with us.
on the Emmanuel campus, we often discuss
Biology,” a collaboration of Philosophy and
the role of Catholic higher education in the
Biology, tackle the moral questions which
we pray that Emmanuel, our God with us,
Church and in society, focusing on the “the
arise in the course of modern scientific
will bless all our endeavors as we engage
dialogue between faith and reason.”
research.
students in the unwavering search for truth.
Our alumni are a testament to this
As we begin our 90th academic year,