Statute of Mary on the University of Dayton campus seen in a moon-lit sky.
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We Educate for Change,
But Our Mission Remains Constant.

The University of Dayton was founded and is guided by the Marianists, a Roman Catholic teaching order.

We constantly seek truth and knowledge in our mission to improve the world. We strive to make the University a place where all are welcome, respected and supported. As Marianists, we are called to live and work together in community. We've built and nurtured the campus community. We invite and teach our students to do the same, and we ask each community member to learn, lead and serve.

That's the very essence of our faith and our academic pursuits. We believe that people who develop compassionate hearts and critical minds can transform the world. 

At the center of the University's leadership is the Office for Mission and Rector. Its role is simple: To help each of us live and learn together, and to grow in our faith to make our communities better.

That's what it means to be Marianist.

That's what it means to be a part of the University of Dayton community.

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Food For the Soul:
Events That Celebrate Our Heritage.

Our programs and events focus on sustaining and strengthening the Catholic and Marianist character of the University. All are welcome.

2013 Events

January

Adele Celebration
Thursday, Jan. 10, 12:05 p.m. Mass
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; Followed by a reception in the Torch Lounge

Chaminade Celebration
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 12:05 p.m. Mass
Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; Followed by a reception in the Torch Lounge
 
Marianist Heritage Founders' Dinner
Thursday, Jan. 30, 6:00 p.m.
KU Ballroom; RSVP to RectorEvents@udayton.edu by 1/25/13

February

Lackner Award Dinner
Friday, Feb. 8, 6-11 p.m.
KU Ballroom and Torch Lounge; Invitation only

March

Marianist Lecture - Dr. Michael Galligan-Stierle
Monday, March 4, 4:30 p.m.
KU East Ballroom; Reception following in KU West Ballroom 


Maureen E. O'Rourke Marianist Student Award Dinner
Friday, March 22, 5:30 p.m.
KU Presidential Suite; Invitation only
 

 

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No MapQuest for Your Journey of Faith.
It Begins With A Single Step.

Lay Marianists

Students are invited to explore their role as a member of the Marianist family and are assisted as they decide whether to make a commitment as a lay Marianist. This program takes place during one semester with a combination of conversations, personal reflection and prayer, weekly meetings, readings, interviews and retreats.

Email Joan McGuinness Wagner for additional details.

Marianist Leadership Scholars

The Marianist Province of the United States offers University of Dayton financial aid to all graduates of Marianist Education Consortium schools.  For those graduates who have demonstrated both an understanding and a practice of the Marianist tradition, a faith, leadership, and service program is available with a renewable scholarship of $4,000 a year.

Students, email Maureen O'Rourke for additional details and application information.

Video: Marianist Scholars Share Reflections >>

Marianist Student Communities

The Office for Mission and Rector, with cooperation from Campus Ministry, can provide housing for students interested in exploring the Marianist tradition, and who are committed to building and living in community in the student neighborhood. These communities use Mary as their model to form houses of Marianist hospitality.

For questions or to apply, email Maureen O'Rourke.

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As a community of faith, we are rooted in prayer

Prayer of Blessing for Students and Teachers

Lord our God,
in your wisdom and love
you surround us with the mysteries of the universe.
In times long past you sent us your prophets
to teach your laws
and to bear witness to your undying love.
You sent us your Son
to teach us by word and example
that true wisdom comes from you alone.

Send your Spirit upon these students and faculty and staff
and fill them with your wisdom and blessings.
Grant that during this academic year
they may devote themselves to their pursuit of truth and wisdom
and share what they have learned from others.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Blessings

We're All About Community.
But Sometimes We Single Out a Few.

Among our favorite activities are the opportunities to recognize and applaud the people who help make the University of Dayton such a special place.

We look forward to these moments when we can put the spotlight on the spiritual and intellectual contributions our faculty, staff and students make. These award winners take steps to help us enhance the Catholic and Marianist characteristics that set the University of Dayton apart.

When you see who's on the lists of past recipients, you'll understand why this is one the best things we do every year.

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Rooted in Faith. Grounded in Community.
We Are Called to Use Our Gifts to Serve the World.

Our mission is to lead others through community to faith in Jesus Christ. Using Mary as our model, we fulfill this mission within the Catholic church through a variety of ministries. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade strongly resisted all attempts to define the mission of Marianists in terms of specific ministries. Our commitment to service anywhere in the world allows us to be open to any need within the Catholic church.

The Society of Mary originated within lay communities of faith. An essential part of our Marianist life is our collaboration with lay communities in a common mission for the church.

We Build Communities of Faith —
One Personal Relationship at a Time.

Our style of Marianist ministry involves the realization that faith is best communicated through personal relationships and is nurtured through lived experiences of community and service. The quality and depth of our own common life together has always been seen by Marianists as the primary grounding and support for all our ministry; what Marianists do as ministry is never quite as important as how they do it.

The hallmarks of Marianist ministry are:

       • a concern for promoting and developing faith communities among those we serve and among those with whom we serve

       • a belief that faith formation is a lifelong process of growth and development "from the cradle to the grave"

       • the hope that faith and community formation will energize all aspects of each person's baptismal commitment

Traditionally, Marianists have understood education in schools to be a profound opportunity for building communities of faith.

A Hallmark of Our Faith —
We Reach Out to the Poor and Marginalized.

In recent years, the Catholic church has called religious to hear and respond in new ways to societal needs. Marianists have responded by bringing our gifts of community formation to new arenas beyond the schools: the parish, family ministry, neighborhoods and the arts, among others.

A deeper sensitivity to the poor, marginalized and disenfranchised has marked our decisions about where we choose to minister.

Our founder, William Joseph Chaminade, was fond of the Latin expression, "Nova Bella Elegit Dominus," which means "The Lord has chosen new wars." Despite the militaristic language of Blessed Chaminade's 19th century, he expresses in this phrase the openness to communal discernment, courageous adaptation and decisive response, all of which characterize our Marianist mission of service to God's people.

We Believe We Learn Best in Community.

At the University of Dayton, we believe in preparing students to adapt in a changing world and to use their knowledge and faith to create change that makes a difference. Our educational philosophy addresses the needs of the "whole person" — mind, body and spirit.  

Video: Marianists Build a Top-Tier Catholic University >>

Meet Our People.
We're Here to Serve.

You'll find Marianists living in the student neighborhood, teaching classes, making discoveries in research labs, accompanying students on overseas service trips and ministering in chapels across our campus.

You'll also find us in the historic St. Mary's Hall, right next to the president's office.  Why? Because our Catholic, Marianist mission is at the core of all we do.

Contact Our Staff

Rev. James Fitz, S.M., vice president for mission and rector

Rev. Joseph Kozar, S.M., assistant rector

Joan McGuinness Wagner, director of Marianist strategies

Maureen O'Rourke, coordinator of Marianist activities and scholarship

Carole Wiltsee, senior administrative assistant

Eileen Maloney, administrative assistant

On Campus

St. Mary's Hall

Room 213
Campus +1638
Phone: 937-229-2899
Fax: 229-3396

By Mail

Office for Mission and Rector
University of Dayton
300 College Park
Dayton, OH 45469-1638