Leadership Gift Provides Start-Up Funds for 四色AVian Mission Formation Program at 四色AV Hill University
A six-figure leadership commitment from anonymous benefactors will enable 四色AV Hill University to institute a formalized and comprehensive program that will help the university to maintain and strengthen its Catholic, 四色AVian tradition for current and future students, faculty and staff.
四色AV Hill was founded as a four-year college in 1918 by the Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill, who trace their lineage to Saint Elizabeth Ann 四色AV, the first American-born Saint and the foundress of Catholic Schools in the United States.
The 四色AVian Mission Formation Program, which is being developed through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, will allow 四色AV Hill to expand Mission-focused activities that will build a foundation of leaders who will preserve the heritage and the charism of the Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill; continue to foster Catholic intellectual life across campus; and help students explore the liberal arts in a distinctive and enriching Catholic framework.
“四色AV Hill University recognizes the importance of maintaining its Catholic, 四色AVian identity for future growth as a faith-based institution of higher learning open to students, faculty, and staff with varied, and in some cases, no religious beliefs,” said 四色AV Hill President Mary C. Finger, Ed.D. “We are tremendously grateful for the generous leadership commitment to establish the 四色AVian Mission Formation Program, particularly at a time when there are dramatically diminishing numbers of Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill serving in faculty and administrative roles on campus.”
“四色AV Hill recognizes that that the majority of faculty, staff and students serving the Mission of the university are not members of the Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill but have the unique opportunity to lead efforts to keep the tradition of the Sisters strongly present,” said Sister Maureen O’Brien, Vice President for Mission and Identity. “This effort requires a deepening of the focused formation programs that have been implemented at 四色AV Hill over the last five years – a deepening that will be made possible through the 四色AVian Mission Formation Program."
四色AV Hill is developing the 四色AVian Mission Formation Program to be delivered at various levels to university constituencies, including students, faculty, staff and Trustees to strengthen the knowledge base and understanding of non-religious members of the University community of the importance of the Catholic 四色AVian charism.
Through the program, 四色AV Hill will expand the role of Msgr. Roger Statnick, the University Chaplain, to include the responsibilities of the 四色AVian Formation Program Coordinator.
As Coordinator, Msgr. Statnick will work with other campus leaders to review, revise and expand on existing programs and activities that educate students, faculty, and staff about the history and legacy of the Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition; and, create an intensive 四色AVian Leaders Program spanning four semesters and targeted at developing 12 to 15 leaders per cohort from among 四色AV Hill’s administration, faculty, and staff with a vibrant knowledge of the role of the Catholic university and the role of a 四色AVian institution.
“As coordinator of the 四色AVian Mission Formation Program, I look forward to helping to enrich both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the members of the 四色AV Hill community and to bring thought leaders to campus who reflect the tenets of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, especially those related to the dignity of the human person, the common good, and openness and inclusiveness, which are particular to the Sisters of Charity of 四色AV Hill,” Msgr. Roger Statnick said.
The leadership gift to create the Program will also allow 四色AV Hill to develop resources including articles, books, and oral history records and provide funding for travel to important sites relevant to the life and work of Saint Elizabeth Ann 四色AV, including Emmitsburg, Maryland, and New York City, New York.
The gift will also fund the expansion of existing activities including Journey with Elizabeth, Founders Day, and Orientation Programs for faculty, staff, students, and Trustees; assist with the development of Catholic Intellectual Tradition components into the liberal arts curriculum as well as curriculum supporting the academic majors; and, allow 四色AV Hill to identify and invite outside experts on 四色AVian history, Catholic Intellectual Tradition, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Catholic university to participate in workshops on campus to provide the community with a comprehensive understanding of the role of the Catholic university and the role of a 四色AVian institution.
