"Higher Purpose, Greater Good" Articulates What's Different About SLU

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. 

Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 14,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis, Missouri and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.

"Higher purpose. Greater good." helps us communicate what's different about SLU - the University's DNA. It helps us articulate the University's core purpose, which is for the "greater good" and the University's core essence, which is our "higher purpose."

"Higher purpose. Greater good." is more than just a phrase. It's a reflection of who Saint Louis University is. In it, words reflect deeds. 

• Pursuing Degrees, Majoring in Impact: Career choice, community impact, service learning,vigorous academics.
• Formation in a World of Information: Diversity, global reach, transformation.
• Shaping St. Louis with Bricks and Mortarboards: 25 years of progress, economic impact, alumni's value to the region, a leading research institution.
• Major Research Center for Self Discovery: Personal and career exploration, journeys (big and small), challenging ideas.
• Core Classes Become Core Values: The Jesuit tradition, ethical values, educating the whole person, service learning.
• Gateway to Explorers, Navigators and Seekers of Truth: The Jesuit mission, SLU's history in St. Louis, leadership.

Click here for more information and access the commercials about SLU's "Higher Purpose, Greater Good".

Concrete examples about SLU that illustrate "Higher purpose. Greater good."

• Students, faculty and staff members cumulatively complete more than a million hours of community service each year.
• The University has been recognized as a character-building college by The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development.
• SLU was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year in 2012. It is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement.
• SLU's chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, is the largest in the nation per capita, as well as one of the biggest student organizations on campus.
• A 2012 economic impact study showed that Saint Louis University is the largest single developer in the Midtown area, with more than $850 million in campus improvements, enhancements and expansions during the past 25 years.
• The new College for Public Health and Social Justice uniquely addresses the health and well being of society's most vulnerable by bring all of the disciplines of public health and social work together.
• The law school's legal clinics provide nearly 40,000 hours of free legal serve annually to the community.
• The John Cook School of Business offers several mission-driven certificate programs, including those in service leadership, sustainable business practices, and corporate ethics and compliance management.
• The Center for World Health and Medicine, inaugurated in 2010, pursues new treatments for neglected diseases such as malaria, river blindness and childhood diarrhea. These initiatives offer promising solutions for diseases that ravage the developing world.
• The Center for Sustainability continues to foster discovery through groundbreaking research with assistance from programs such as the Alberici Fund for Innovation, a $1.5 million commitment to seed cross/interdisciplinary research focused on creating solutions to the urgent sustainability issues facing society.
• SLU's Center for Global Citizenship encourage all students to develop as globally diverse leaders by using modern technology to connect local and international worlds.