Much of the concern of Catholic identity revolves around students' experiences of Catholicism at Catholic colleges and universities. Given this concern, it is surprising how little attention has been focused on student perceptions of Catholic identity. In the spring of 2013, the author gathered data from more than 1,000 students at over 20…

The "DePaul Mission and Values Inventory" ("DMV") was validated based on the mission, identity, and values of a large, urban, Catholic, Vincentian institution. We examined the suitability of the "DMV" at a small, suburban, Catholic, Franciscan university. A sample of 275 undergraduates (218 women, 57 men:…

The phrase "Catholic intellectual tradition" appears in many self-descriptions of Catholic colleges and universities. It communicates the identity of these institutions to the broader Catholic community, to members of the particular college or university community, and to the broader academic world. The phrase "Catholic intellectual…

Universities struggling to recapture their Catholic identity in an increasingly pluralistic campus environment learn from "Idea of a University" that Catholic identity is fostered by two essential elements: a culture of the intellect and a loyal Catholic spirit. Catholics and non-Catholics can build vibrant Catholic campuses by working together to…

This article sketches the development of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA. It does so with broad strokes, which paint a picture of the program of the Center within the context of ecclesial and papal activities and documents. The article describes how the Center entered into dialogue with…

This article explores debates about the public role of religion in a secular context. Drawing on the work of critical theorist, Jurgen Habermas, this article claims that the United States requires a viable public sphere in which religious and secular voices can learn from each other. Highlighting the work of the Lane Center for Catholic Studies…

This study investigates how research participants' desire to make a positive social impression may affect their responses to survey questions. Specifically, participants may react in socially appropriate ways to create a positive social impression for those persons reviewing their responses. This concept is termed "impression management," or more…

Catholic universities have a particular role to play in social development and cultural progress. Through their encounter with the Gospel, they have the opportunity to provide transformational experiences for students, faculty, and staff. One powerful means of such development and progress is to promote the engagement of students and staff with…