The University of Providence has placed virtue formation at the center of its educational mission, focusing on developing students as whole persons through intentional practice and community support.
According to the university, virtue formation is a process by which individuals learn to habitually choose what is good. This development occurs not by accident but through repeated actions, reflection, and engagement with others. The institution draws from Catholic tradition and modern virtue ethics in its approach.
Virtue is described as a way of life rather than a checklist. As stated in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” The university emphasizes that growth in virtue requires vulnerability and the willingness to be challenged and changed within a supportive community context.
Stanley Hauerwas is quoted: “We become holy by being part of a story and a community that tells us who we are and how to live.”
The university asserts that college years are formative for identity and decision-making. Quoting Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” The institution claims that practicing virtue can help students develop moral clarity, responsibility, empathy, accountability in relationships, resist harmful habits, and discover ways to serve faithfully.
James Keenan, SJ states: “Virtue is not about perfection. It’s about trying to be good and getting better at it.”
At the University of Providence, the approach to forming virtues involves three main elements:
1. Habituation—virtues are practiced consistently over time.
2. Communal Formation—students grow in character through participation in shared activities across campus life.
3. Narrative and Identity—members become part of a larger story shaped by compassion and justice inspired by figures such as Blessed Emilie Gamelin.
Scriptural passages such as 1 Timothy 4:7–8 (“Train yourself for devotion…”) and Proverbs 27:17 (“As iron sharpens iron…”) highlight these themes.
The virtues emphasized include mercy (compassion), fidelity (faithfulness), justice (fairness), self-care (dignity), hospitality (welcoming others), humility (self-awareness), courage (acting for good despite difficulty), and charity or love (theological foundation). These values draw from Christian teachings attributed to sources like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine.
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote: “The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.”
Virtue formation at the university extends beyond academic instruction into residence life—where communal living fosters moral growth—and campus ministry programs offering prayer retreats and service opportunities. Student conduct policies incorporate restorative practices for learning from harm; leadership development programs promote servant leadership; curricula integrate ethical inquiry; all aiming toward holistic student development.
Stressing personal involvement in this journey toward transformation rather than perfectionism, St. Augustine’s words are cited: “He who created you without you will not save you without you.” Students are encouraged to reflect on their habits daily, seek feedback from mentors, learn from failure with humility, practice small acts of kindness or honesty each day, ask themselves who they are becoming—and let their actions speak publicly for their values as suggested by Matthew 5:16 (“Let your light shine before others…”).
Recommended readings include works by James Keenan SJ (“Virtues for Ordinary Christians”), Stanley Hauerwas (“The Peaceable Kingdom”), St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologiae , Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics , St. Augustine’s writings , along with scriptural references supporting these ideas.
Campus resources such as Campus Ministry & Spiritual Life initiatives further integrate these principles into daily student experience.
The University concludes that its aim goes beyond career preparation—it seeks to cultivate lives marked by meaning and service rooted in mercy, justice, courage—a response it deems necessary given contemporary societal needs.
