University of San Diego Magazine 75th Anniversary 2024

Integration Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD, began working with others in Mission Integration to determine what a postpandemic world would look like in Catholic higher education. Pope Francis published an opinion piece in The New York Times on Nov. 26, 2020, titled “A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts.” In the article — which was subsequently turned into the bestselling book Let Us Dream — the pope makes the argument that society will emerge from any crisis either better or worse, but never the same. “What will make the difference, he says, is if we take the time to honestly reflect on what happened and then to dream together of a better future,” explained Lovette-Colyer. “We were really struck by that.” The Office for Mission began to have conversations, both internally and with colleagues around the country, and there was a strong desire to put together this unique gathering. Ultimately, the conference exceeded expectations, Lovette-Colyer said, both in terms of the attendance and the quality of presentations. “The energy that came from gathering people from different institutions was really exciting. We can sometimes get caught up in our own narrow focus, but to realize that we are all a part of something much larger elicits a great deal of hope and joy.” The Lighting the Way Forward Conference was a reaffirmation of USD’s unique identity and an important milestone in the university’s diamond jubilee. “In the moment, I profoundly appreciated how appropriate it was that we were beginning the conference in Founders Chapel inside Founders Hall, one of the very first buildings constructed at USD,” said Lovette-Colyer. “It was the perfect way to mark this transition from our first 75 years to the next 75. The dream of Bishop Buddy and Mother Hill has come true in so many ways and required an incredible amount of faith and grace. For us to be in the chapel to remember the faith of our founders and all those who got us here was incredibly touching as we think about what is ahead of us.” •

The value of a liberal arts education remains high. “Part of our role is not to just fill students up with facts, but to help them discover a love of learning. We need to become more articulate in how we express the value of this type of education to broader audiences who might not be as familiar with it — or who may even be skeptical of its value.” Catholic institutions need to meet the unique needs of Generation Z, the first generation to have grown up with access to the Internet universities are uniquely set up to offer accompaniment and a blend of challenge and support that can respond to issues they are facing in a way that meets them where they are and invites them to walk further into their true selves toward a life that will be, to use the language of our core values, meaningful and inspired, allowing them to truly flourish.” and digital technology. “Catholic colleges and

To view more photos from the conference, scan this QR Code with a mobile device.

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