THE
MAGAZINE
OF
SAINT
LOUIS
UNIVERSITY
SUMMER 2001
By Lawrence Biondi, SJ Saint Louis University President
A
recent article by David Brooks in Atlantic Monthly called into question the character of college students today. Brooks blames go-getter parents and educational institutions for leaving today's college-age generation on their own when it comes to character and virtue. "We y our children around the world so that they can experience different cultures," Brooks writes. "We spend huge amounts of money on safety equipment and sports coaching. We sermonize about the evils of drunk driving. We expend enormous energy guiding and regulating their lives. But when it comes to character and virtue, the most mysterious area of all, suddenly the laissez-faire ethic rules: You're on your own, Jack and Jill; go gure out what is true and just for yourselves." I couldn't disagree more. That's certainly not our approach at Saint Louis University or at any of our sister Jesuit colleges and universities. At SLU we take great pride in the education that we provide our students. We take equal pride in helping them become responsible, caring members of society. Our mission — to educate the whole person — clearly states that intellectual and character development go hand-inhand. Our students, faculty and staff connect with the St. Louis community and the world community, exploring and enriching these "classrooms without walls." Each day, through outreach programs and research efforts, the SLU family demonstrates how knowledge touches lives. Brooks says that we assume that if adults try to offer moral instruction, it will backre because our children will reject our sermonizing (though they don't seem to reject any other part of our guidance and instruction). "We assume that such questions have no correct answer that can be taught," he writes. "Or maybe the simple truth is that adult institutions no longer try to talk about character and virtue because they simply wouldn't know what to say." At Saint Louis University we haven't forgotten what to say about character and virtue because we have never stopped saying it. Yes, we educate more than 11,000 students in a wide variety of disciplines. But no matter what the major or degree, there is one common thread to our learning environment. All of our students are instilled with a call to act for justice and a conviction to value the dignity of every human person. In every issue of UNIVERSITAS, we share with you stories about Saint Louis University's academic progress, research activities and community outreach. In this issue, however, we're focusing on our strides to foster character both inside and outside of the classroom — to introduce our students to a life of service. We're proud to be recognized as a character-building college by The Templeton Guide: Colleges That Encourage Character Development, but we're even more pleased that Saint Louis University students, faculty and staff volunteered more than 430,000 service hours to area organizations this past year. In all, more than 6,000 members of the University community participate in service outreach programs. At Saint Louis University, we do not separate intellectual and character development. Combining these makes the educated person sensitive to greater possibilities. Intellect and character, joined together, empower our students to achieve change on behalf of a more just society. On the following pages you'll nd several articles looking at the topic of character development from various angles. One story explains the many facets and benets of our Center for Leadership and Community Service. Another describes an innovative theology course that combines classroom study and community service. Still another story examines the impact a unique ethics program has had on our faculty development. And the last feature article proles three student-athletes who are building character by balancing academics, athletics and service. We take seriously the Ignatian ideal of "forming women and men for others." I hope you'll enjoy reading how much.

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