Dr. Peter Kilpatrick on the Idea of a Catholic University

All the first universities were—St. Thomas Aquinas would tell us—Catholic ones. But in this modern day, it takes intentionality to maintain the rich tradition of Catholic education. In a talk recorded for HeightsCast, Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America, spoke to families at The Heights about what it means to be a Catholic university. He first consults the experts: Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, John Paul the Great, and Pope Benedict XVI. He then offers examples from his own career in school leadership, and how to put the exhortations of popes and saints into action on campus. Chapters: 6:14 Universities: a Catholic inheritance 8:06 Newman and Aquinas on universities 11:58 Papal directives for Catholic universities 15:56 Theodrama vs. egodrama 19:16 Getting these ideas on campus 19:36 Mission-enthusiastic faculty 21:26 Mission-integrated curricula 24:12 Counseling with a Christian anthropology 25:01 Teaching a professional call to holiness 26:21 Campus ministry 28:15 The distinctive value of Catholic education 31:10 Q1: Technology and the next 50 years 36:13 Q2: College affordability and value Links: The Idea of a University by St. John Henry Newman Ex Corde Ecclesiae by Pope St. John Paul II Regensburg Address on Faith, Reason, and the University by Pope Benedict XVI "The Real Cost of College Education—for Students, Families, and the Nation" by Jamie Merisotis Superhabits: The Universal System for a Successful Life by Andrew Abela Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Pakaluk Also on the Forum: Receiving Beauty: A Liberal Arts Education featuring Dr. George Harne Considerations for the College-Bound Student featuring Dr. Peter Kilpatrick The Idea of the Liberal Arts University, Part I featuring Dr. Thomas Hibbs Rethinking College: Why go? How? When? featuring Arthur Brooks