New mission and vision statements introduced

LaGrange College has a renewed North Star. This spring, the college unveiled new mission and vision statements—bold guides for how the college serves students today and prepares them for tomorrow.

“The North Star for any institution is its mission,” said President Susanna Baxter. “Reexamining ours reminded us of what alumni love about LaGrange— and of the vital calling we have to transform students’ lives today.”

The updated statements emerged from a monthslong, campuswide effort led by faculty and staff, with input from surveys and listening sessions. The process culminated in Trustee approval this spring.

The result is a clear, inspiring set of statements that capture LaGrange’s essence, purpose and promise for the future.

The final vision statement speaks to the institution’s ultimate aims: “ To be an innovative institution, holistically educating our students to connect with and contribute to an ever-changing world.”

The new mission statement retains portions of past language in a more condensed form: “We challenge the minds and inspire the souls of our students, preparing them to become successful, responsible citizens who pursue lives of integrity, service, and lifelong learning.”

The heritage language places the other statements into institutional context: “Founded in 1831 by what would become the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College embraces its history with the Wesleyan, liberal arts traditions.

“Our community’s life and work are rooted in the Wesleyan notion of education as not just informative, but also transformative: connecting mind, body, and heart. We carry on John Wesley's passion for making education broadly accessible. We do this by striving to meet each student where they are and by valuing them for who they are.”

The two statements also now include companion language that outlines the college’s values and heritage. The new values listing is composed of “the inherent worth of every human being, the pursuit of lifelong learning and development, integrity and moral courage, spiritual growth, and service to our community and to our world.”

The heritage language places the other statements into institutional context: “Founded in 1831 by what would become the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College embraces its history with the Wesleyan, liberal arts traditions.

“Our community’s life and work are rooted in the Wesleyan notion of education as not just informative, but also transformative: connecting mind, body, and heart. We carry on John Wesley's passion for making education broadly accessible. We do this by striving to meet each student where they are and by valuing them for who they are.”