Core Values

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 Judeo-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.