General Information

Mission

Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles.

Vision

Inspired by Christ and committed to the dignity and value of all people, Loras College fosters a learning community that …

• Develops the whole person - in mind, body, and spirit - to achieve meaningful outcomes throughout life and across careers;
• Integrates learning inside and outside the classroom, across disciplines, and beyond limiting perspectives; and
• Challenges us to make a difference in society by deepening our sense of humanity and purpose.

Values

The Loras College community embraces core values that define the way we work, behave and relate with others.

• Truth: We are dedicated to the pursuit and communication of truth. We rely on the integrity of each individual to create a community that engages freely and creatively in the search for truth and grapples joyfully with intellectual and moral issues.
• Respect: We cherish and treat each person as an individual created in the image and likeness of God. We value the dignity, diversity and uniqueness of each person.
• Responsibility: Individuals are responsible for their own actions and for the common good.
• Excellence: We strive for excellence in teaching and in every other aspect of the Loras experience.
• Service: We encourage each member of the Loras community to serve others in an extraordinary way.

Dispositions

• Active learners want to learn. They are curious about the world and seek to make sense of their experiences. Loras students demonstrate their ability to learn in active ways.
• Reflective thinkers display insight. They take into account their own dispositions and biases as they think creatively and critically. Loras students demonstrate their ability to think in a reflective manner.
• Ethical decision-makers discern religious, cultural and personal values in order to act with justice and compassion. Loras students demonstrate their ability to decide matters ethically.
• Responsible contributors to professions, societies and religious communities develop their talents and share them with others in ways that respect a global environment and are sensitive to cultural differences. Loras students demonstrate that they contribute in responsible ways.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

• ILO #1: Students will think critically and creatively.
• ILO #2: Students will communicate ideas and information effectively to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
• ILO #3: Students will demonstrate depth of knowledge in an academic discipline.
• ILO #4: Students will integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and diverse experiences to comprehensively address complex issues and challenges.
• ILO #5: Students will thoughtfully examine their life’s purpose in relation to their personal talents and the needs of communities.
• ILO #6: Students will engage personal, professional, social, and global concerns with principled ethical judgments guided by reason, justice, and compassion.
• ILO #7: Students will apply knowledge of diverse contexts and cultural competencies to advance human dignity and serve the common good through inclusive and equitable communities.

History

Iowa’s oldest college, Loras is at home on 60 acres atop the highest bluff of historic Dubuque, overlooking the Mississippi River at the junction of the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The campus is situated in a residential area, 10 blocks from the center of the downtown area, and is only a three and one-half hour drive from Chicago, and a similar distance from Des Moines and the Twin Cities.

Loras College was founded in 1839 by the Most Rev. Mathias Loras, first bishop of Dubuque, who established St. Raphael Seminary to educate young men for the priesthood, but with the expressed intention also of providing an opportunity for higher education to the citizens of the area. The College has functioned under several names (St. Raphael Seminary, Mt. St. Bernard, St. Joseph College, Dubuque College and Columbia College), finally adopting its present name during its centennial in 1939. From the time of its founding, the College devoted its faculty and facilities to an undergraduate program; it conferred the Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Science degrees. From 1934 until 1963, the Catholic University of America conducted on the Loras campus a Midwest branch of graduate studies - Loras College furnished the facilities and was financial responsible, while the Catholic University of America controlled and staffed the program. In 1963, the Catholic University of American discontinued its several branch programs. Realizing that the need for the kind of educational opportunities made available through Loras College had increased since 1934, the College petitioned the North Central Association for preliminary approval to offer graduate work leading to a master’s degree in the areas of Education, English, History, and Latin. Preliminary accreditation was granted in June of 1964, and final accreditation granted in 1970. The College became coeducational in the fall of 1971.