Notre Dame recognized for service in Templeton guide
KATE NAGENGAST
News Writer
On the 10th anniversary of "The Templeton Guide: Colleges that Encourage Character Development," the foundation has again recognized Notre Dame, this time with five citations for excellence.
Overall institutional distinction, presidential leadership, the Academic Code of Honor, the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) and the Center for Social Concerns (CSC) were all mentioned for programming excellence.
"We are quite pleased about this continuing distinction for the University," said University spokesman Dennis Brown. "We think it says a lot about what the University tries to do, that is, provide the student body with an education that is based in large part on issues of character and goes beyond the books."
Notre Dame's mission aligns well with that of the Templeton Foundation. Arthur Schwartz, director of Character Development Programs at the foundation, explained, "With the Templeton Guide, we hope to help prospective college students and their parents who want to know what colleges are doing to promote the core values of honesty, self-control, respect and service to the less fortunate. The Templeton Guide identifies colleges that encourage students to understand the importance of civic responsibility, which will help them succeed in college and beyond.
"[Father Edward Malloy] and Notre Dame's work in this area is most impressive … a model for colleges and universities nationwide," Schwartz continued.
In fact, Notre Dame was one of only 20 universities to be honored both institutionally on the Templeton Honor Roll and for the quality of its presidential leadership, a new criterion on this year's evaluation.
Malloy was recognized for his continued dedication to teaching throughout his presidency and for his campus-wide presence as a resident of Sorin Hall and as a celebrant at not only Basilica Masses but at dorm Masses as well. Malloy's national leadership was also noted by his work to combat substance abuse and promote service learning.
Representatives of the three honored programs — CSC, ACE and the Academic Code of Honor — were also pleased to be acclaimed by the foundation.
The Templeton Guide called the CSC "a living model of Gospel values and Catholic social teachings through education experiences."
Jim Paladino, associate director of CSC credited the students for the honor. "We are obviously very pleased to be acknowledged. This award affirms the fact that the students here at Notre Dame take an exceptional look at poverty and injustice. They don't just consider charitable giving, but they really try to make and impact and change systems."
Cited under the category of faculty and curriculum initiatives in the guide, ACE was praised as an innovative teacher-training program that is "shaping talented new leaders for the future of education." John Staud, director of ACE, said, "We are thrilled to be honored in such distinguished company. I think that just to be recognized nationally like this may help our recruiting, [because] now we are on the radar screen as a recognized name. This can only help as we continue to try to make a national impact."
The Academic Honor Code program has already felt that impact.
"This is a special honor because the Templeton Award elevates our program as a model program across the country," explained Stuart Green, associate professor of English and a member of the Honor Code roster.
"I think it's this kind of notoriety that has led to a number of different institutions contacting us about our Honor Code program. It's a good affirmation of what we are trying to do here."
In addition to these individual citations, Notre Dame's First Year of Studies, Campus Ministry, Alcohol and Drug Education Office, Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business and Erasmus Institute were featured on the Templeton Honor Roll.
All News Stories for Wednesday, December 8, 1999
