Statement of Purpose

Vision

Roanoke College is committed to being a leading national liberal arts college, a model of experiential learning, and a community committed to open discourse and civil debate as ways of learning and as preparation for service in the world.

Mission

Roanoke College develops students as whole persons and prepares them for responsible lives of learning, service, and leadership by promoting their intellectual, ethical, spiritual and personal growth.

Purpose

Roanoke College pursues its mission through an innovative curriculum that combines a core program in the liberal arts, major fields of study in the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities and fine arts, along with career-oriented, specialized programs of study. Founded by Lutherans in 1842, Roanoke College welcomes and reflects a variety of religious traditions. The College honors its Christian heritage and its partnership with the Lutheran church by nurturing a dialogue between faith and reason. In keeping with its history and mis- sion, the College strives to be a diverse community, nationally and internationally.

Central to achieving the purposes of the College is a strong commitment to liberal education and its vision of human freedom leading to service within the human community. The College’s learning goals, therefore, focus upon developing both a student’s confident sense of freedom in the world and a sense of purpose in using that freedom. Through these goals the College strives to produce resourceful, informed, and responsible citizens prepared for productive careers and for leadership in the community.