Mission, Convictions and Heritage
St. Thomas Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.
Our Convictions
- Pursuit of Truth:
We value intellectual inquiry as a lifelong habit, the unfettered and impartial pursuit of truth in all its forms, the integration of knowledge across disciplines, and the imaginative and creative exploration of new ideas.
- Academic Excellence:
We create a culture among faculty, students and staff that recognizes the power of ideas and rewards rigorous thinking.
- Faith and Reason:
We actively engage Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason and fosters meaningful dialogue directed toward the flourishing of human culture.
- Dignity:
We respect the dignity of each person and value the unique contributions that each brings to the greater mosaic of the university community.
- Diversity:
We strive to create a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.
- Personal Attention:
We foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member.
- Gratitude:
We celebrate the achievements of all members of our community in goals attained and obstacles overcome, and in all things give praise to God.
The Common Good at St. Thomas
What do we mean by the common good? Fr. Chris Collins invites you to learn more about what that means for Tommies and how it relates to our mission at St. Thomas.
Archbishop John Ireland: Our Founder
St. Thomas was founded in 1885 by the great Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1913) on land given to him by William and Elizabeth Finn (PDF). Ireland was a leading figure in the Catholic Church and indeed in American politics during his life. As a child, he immigrated with his family from Ireland during the Great Famine, arriving in the United States among the masses of nineteenth-century refugees. Indeed, he founded St. Thomas in large part to serve the immigrant community in Minnesota. Ireland named his new school after St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), the most influential thinker in Catholic theology/philosophy.
Learn more about John Ireland
Founding Father: 100 Years After His Death
John Ireland: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
“Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.”
The Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas: Our Patron Saint
Archbishop Ireland chose to name the college after St. Thomas Aquinas, the most influential scholar in Church history. In doing so, Ireland gave direction to the school based on St. Thomas' work, notably his belief in the unity of faith and reason, his commitment to "inquiry into the reasons and principles of things," and his innovative thinking.
Learn More About St. Thomas Aquinas
Catholic Traditions and Teaching
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.
The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.
The Dignity of Persons
Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.
Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.
The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.
The Dignity of Persons
The Dignity of Persons
Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.
Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”
Our Gift to Serve
Charism of St. Thomas
A charism is a special gift given by the Holy Spirit to serve others. Our Charism is grounded on the vision of Archbishop Ireland, the intellectual rigor expressed in the work of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the moral guidance of Catholic Intellectual Tradition, all of which are inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.
These sources help us to articulate our impact on the lives of students and our contributions to the broader community.
Living Our Mission
Office for Mission
The Office for Mission works to support and integrate the broad reach of the Catholic identity throughout the university as a whole.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry celebrates the diversity of faith traditions in our university community through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.
Center for the Common Good
The Center for the Common Good integrates community engagement into the fabric of life at St. Thomas by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from community partners.
Committed to All Humans Flourishing
Our community is committed to championing a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that upholds human dignity.
Care for Our Common Home
Sustainability is infused into every aspect of campus life, from academic programs and student activities to facilities and dining operations. We aim to be carbon neutral by 2035.
Support for Mind, Body and Spirit
Our conviction to personal attention embodies campus support services like the Center for Well-Being, which provides holistic physical and mental health resources.
Faith and Mission News
December 4, 2025
The Catholic Studies MA program (CSMA) is celebrating 25 years of amazing growth, both in terms of the program’s scope and number of students. Recent college graduates, mid-career folks, and retirees find their way to this transformative program through a variety of paths, but in the program they all find a new depth of integration of their learning with their faith and all of life. Under the leadership of Dr. Mary Reichardt, the first program director, CSMA… The post Silver Jubilee: CSMA 25th Anniversary appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 4, 2025
Catholic Studies was still in its earliest years on the St. Paul campus when the first group of students spent a semester in Rome. But the accommodations were temporary and not conducive to community life. Thanks to a gift from the Bernardi family, St. Thomas purchased a 20,000-square-foot home from a group of Spanish nuns and renovated the interior. In 2000, Catholic Studies students moved into the Bernardi Campus,… The post Silver Jubilee: Bernardi Campus Turns Twenty-Five appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 4, 2025
For the past 25 years, Catholic Studies has been home to the Guadalupe’s Scholars Program where faithful student leaders are invited to engage the Catholic intellectual tradition in the context of the growing Hispanic Church in America. Beginning with just one student in 2000, there are now 49 Guadalupe’s Scholars in this program built upon four pillars: rigorous academics, strong community, faith… The post Silver Jubilee: 25th Anniversary of Guadalupe’s Scholars appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 4, 2025
When you drive by Karol Coffee Co. in St. Paul’s Como neighborhood, you might want to stop and check it out, even if you have already had your cup for the day. Its freshly painted facade and welcoming interior signal that someone has breathed new life into this old building. That “someone” is a married couple with deep Catholic Studies roots. Megan (Hastings) ’13 and Nate Whipple ’25 CSMA were married in 2020 when Megan was studying… The post One Cup at a Time appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
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December 4, 2025
Since its founding in 1993, the work of Catholic Studies has been sustained by the prayers, encouragement, strategic advice, and generosity of our donors. In every way, Emery and Karen Koenig have participated in this work. For the past 20 years, the Koenigs have made Catholic Studies one of their philanthropic priorities through annual giving as well as with a generous planned gift. Emery served as chair of the Advisory Board for nine years and… The post The Emery and Karen Koenig Legacy Society in Catholic Studies appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Building on Momentum: St. Thomas 2030 Strategic Plan
St. Thomas 2030 furthers our mission by charting a path for the next five years towards a more connected, impactful and innovative university experience—ensuring that our students are not only career-ready but are equipped to flourish.