Jesuit Universities Should Fortify Catholic Identity, Not ‘Rebrand’
Monday, February 23, 2015
The efforts of many Jesuit universities to “rebrand” and water down their Catholic values is resulting in a widespread issue of misleading unsuspecting parents and students, argued Jim Infantine, the president of the Gonzaga University alumni group 1887 Trust
The efforts of many Jesuit universities to “rebrand” and water down their Catholic values is resulting in a widespread issue of misleading unsuspecting parents and students, argued Jim Infantine, the president of the Gonzaga University alumni group 1887 Trust, in a recentpiece for First Things. He suggested that, contrary to popular belief, Jesuit universities can be excellent in all areas, both academic and religious, if only Catholic identity is given priority.
Infantine referenced a December 30 article written for The Atlantic, titled “The New Brand of Jesuit Universities,” in which several Jesuit university leaders were interviewed. Infantine took issue with the claim made in the piece that “Catholic universities can either ‘fall in line’ with the Church, or they can be ‘places where young adults are encouraged to think critically.’”
“Few of those interviewed seem to believe that a Catholic university can be both authentically Catholic and of the highest intellectual caliber,” he observed in his article.
“Academics who find Catholic identity and academic rigor to be opposed to one another tend to be those most invested in the drive to make Catholic universities ‘contemporary’ and ‘competent,’” Infantine continued. “According to defenders of this view, Catholic universities must ‘balance’ mission and identity with the need to be modern.” However, he posited that this is an erroneous understanding of the dynamic between academics and faithful Catholic identity.
“Instead of acting to reclaim and strengthen Catholic identity,” Infantine remarked, “many Jesuit universities are actively downplaying their religious affiliations in an effort to court secularized students.” He noted that this technique does nothing to “invite smart young people to ask questions of meaning and purpose” and does a disservice to Catholic students.
Infantine stated in his article:
The “rebranding” of Jesuit universities is turning once great Catholic institutions into shallow “products” consumed by often-unsuspecting parents and students. Products that offer far less of the rich, proud heritage and substance of Catholic higher education than those parents and students have a right to expect.
In The Cardinal Newman Society’s report on the Atlantic piece, several recent scandals at Gonzaga University—which figured largely in the original article—were referenced. These included The Vagina Monologues on campus, the honoring of an outspoken abortion advocate, and the University’scompliance with the HHS mandate, among other concerns.
In his article, Infantine advised that those in positions of power at Gonzaga University and other Jesuit universities must commit to the institutions’ Catholic identities.
“It is commendable to strive to meet students where they are, but students will find the invitation to ‘go deeper’ more appealing if it is extended by an institution proud of its identity and committed to the clear expression and defense of that identity,” he noted.