Loras College

School mission (as provided by the school):

Loras is a premier Catholic liberal arts institution, educating principled thinkers, dedicated to the total development of the student. Small enough to be personal, large enough to offer a wide variety of quality academic programs, Loras College recognizes the human dignity of each individual and challenges men and women to grow with purpose and direction. Relating the rich liberal arts tradition to a changing world, Loras strives to develop active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision makers and responsible contributors in their diverse professional, social, and religious roles.

Loras offers distinctive Educational Programs. For example, Modes of Inquiry, an interdisciplinary seminar, provides freshmen with the best transition to college life and study by introducing first year students to liberal arts learning and thinking through collaborative work with faculty, upper class student peer assistants, and student development facilitators; Center for Experiential Learning extends beyond traditional textbooks and classrooms, its study abroad, internships and research opportunities all provide ways to "learn by doing"; Catholic Thinkers and Leaders program include courses in which students will examine the intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church through the study of such great Catholic intellectuals as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine , as well as modern day leaders such as Mother Teresa and Joseph Cardinal Bernadin; the January term is an intensive, accelerated 3 week term which enables students to have the opportunity to enroll in a variety of courses, across the disciplines, which emphasize experiential learning.