Catholic Mission

This document is merely a printed expression of what must become a lived reality. In living these five defining traits of respect, sacramentality, service, community, and the dialogue between faith and reason, we aim to grow in wisdom, grace and favor with God and each other (cf. Luke 2:52). All of us who are members of the Gannon University community recognize this as a demanding challenge and a high calling. Our intention is that every member of the Gannon community internalizes these five traits and their universal application to promote behaviors in support of the University’s mission and values of one’s communities.

Integrating respect, sacramentality, service, community, and the dialogue between faith and reason into our daily lives requires consistent and committed effort. Yet we recognize the great rewards which flow from membership in and the support of a community whose members are living that daily effort. Our shared respect for the Catholic identity and mission of the University is the context in which we live these defining traits. Consequently, a commitment to Catholic principles and ideals manifests itself in all areas of our University, specifically in our teaching, research, and the activities of our student and faculty organizations.

Teaching and research are the core academic activities at any university. We conduct these activities in the service and pursuit of truth, and we acknowledge that ultimately all truth is from God. Where appropriate, the teachings of the Catholic Church are presented in the coursework of various academic disciplines. We commit ourselves to research standards which flow from our Catholic identity: not only to the integration of knowledge, but additionally to raising ethical concerns, bringing a theological perspective, and providing service to humanity. In all of this we bring to life the ongoing dialogue between faith and reason.

"The University's curriculum and its faculty guide students to reason toward what is morally right and just, toward understanding that there is a God, that it matters how we relate to Him, how we relate to each other, and how we live. Here, all practice the private and public dimensions of their spirituality by living out values, beliefs, and relationships with respect to one another and to their God."
~Gannon Administration