The Vincentian tradition at St. John’s University is the
foundation and the source of the core values its members strive to
embody: truth, love, respect, opportunity, excellence and
service.
Truth
Knowledge in accord with reality, behavior faithful to ethical
standards. St. John’s affirms the threefold mission of a
university to seek truth through research, to disseminate it
through teaching and to act on it. The University values and
utilizes the perspectives of different cultures to assist its
members in seeking truth and developing ethical standards, while
affirming the Judaeo-Christian tradition.
Love
Focusing and extending minds and hearts to nurture one’s own and
another’s good. Love expressed in the University community
is not a feeling but an action for the corporate good manifested
through the time, talent and energy of its members. It is a
responsible dedication to utilize available resources and turn them
towards humanity’s good.
Respect
Awareness of and esteem for all individuals. A courteous
regard for all people whose diversity is embraced and shared in
learning, teaching and service to others within the University
community and beyond.
Opportunity
Circumstances favorable to serving others and preparing one’s self
for a fulfilling life. Guided by its central commitment to
equality, justice and Christian morality, the University makes its
resources available to all its members to pursue their individual
and collective interests.
Excellence
Striving, growing, never being complacent. The St. John’s
Community empowers and inspires students, staff, faculty and
administration to succeed in programs which assist them in every
area of achievement.
Service
Vincentian spirituality in action, a response to God’s call to give
of ourselves. Our obligation and commitment to service lie
not only in our active compassion as an institution, but in the
cultivation of these priorities and values in the members of our
community. We are committed to a life of stewardship as a caretaker
of God-given talents, resources and knowledge, and caregiver
responding to the needs of others.