Guiding Vision Union University does not exist merely to survive. Whether or not Union prospers is of less importance than our commitment to the guiding vision and mission of this institution. Thus we will work to build a university that is faithful to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, that exemplifies the Great Commandment, that seeks justice, mercy, and love, that demonstrates responsible freedom, and that prioritizes worship and service as central to all pursuits in life. As an institution that is Baptist by tradition and evangelical by conviction we will seek to build a grace-filled community, where undergraduate and graduate education, grounded in the conviction that all truth has its source in God, can be offered. The vision, built on Union’s formative heritage, prioritizes our focus on students and the development of a faculty of Christian scholars who prize teaching. Underlying these priorities are a staff and administration committed to servant leadership, a Board of Trustees devoted to the effective oversight of all aspects of the University and to the distinctive mission of the institution, and a circle of friends who will join us in exploring opportunities to advance the greater good of the University. Five Year Objectives The objectives of the plan highlight new academic majors and programs, the development of the far-reaching academic and technology plans, and the steps needed for completion of the first phase of the Campus Master Plan. To accomplish these objectives, the trustees approved the expansion of the "Building a Future" comprehensive campaign goal to $60,000,000—by far the largest campaign in the university’s history. Though the plan provides needed support for the success of the new Germantown campus, it calls for a renewed emphasis for traditional, residential, liberal arts under-graduate education on the Jackson campus. The University will seek to carry out this vision and accomplish these objectives to the greatest possible degree, given the finite limitations with which we work. We will do so guided by our foundational values. Foundational Values We believe that excellence, not mere compliance, is the goal of our teaching, our research, and our ser v-ice. Another pillar on which we will shape our common commitments is the building of a people-focused community, where there is the visible demonstration of valuing one another. The cohering foundational value of our guiding vision is a call to faith, a call to be Christ-centered in all that we are and in all that we do. At the heart of our Christ-centered approach to education is the belief that God has revealed Himself to us in creation, in history, in our conscience, and ultimately in Christ, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Today the issues related to truth and life are often presented in confusing ways. The restlessness that characterizes much of Western society evidences the enormous changes in our country and our world. At the heart of these changes we see that truth, morality, values, and interpretive frame-works are being ignored if not rejected. The challenges posed for Christian higher education by these cultural shifts are formidable indeed. A normative view of truth and a Christian worldview are seemingly lost in our contemporary culture. Thus our renewed dedication to absolute truth and the sanctity of morality and life must serve as the foundation of all we believe, teach, and do. We believe that God-revealed truth is the framework through which we understand and interpret our world, the events of human history, as well as our responsibilities toward God and one another in this world. A Bold, Faith-filled Journey A commitment to Vision and Values 2005 by the entire University family will be needed to carry out the objectives, goals, and dreams articulated in the plan. The implementation of this guiding vision and these foundational values will be possible only by the grace and faithfulness of God. Everything we do must be done in a way that is consistent with this plan to help advance the mission of this distinctive, Christ-centered University we love. Thus we invite Union alumni, friends, and family to join us on this bold, faith-filled journey.
David S. Dockery |
||||||||
