Document Type
Article
Abstract
Most institutions of higher education periodically review and revise their mission statements, with the primary goal of modernizing the school’s philosophy to make it more “relevant” to current times. Lindenwood University used a different approach to renewing its mission statement: We took a serious look at our historical and philosophical roots and then accentuated those parts of our present service that best represent the expression of our institutional heritage. In the midst of this creative process, we discovered several important principles, including:
- that the founders of a university create an institutional theme that can transcend specific groups that occupy the institution at different times;
- that a university can become more successful by moving back toward the basic theme that led to its founding;
- conversely, that a university might begin to flounder when it loses track of its origins and strays in other directions;
- that a university should periodically explore its heritage and develop adaptive ways to express its fundamental purpose within an ever-changing higher education landscape.
Lindenwood is the fastest growing university in Missouri, having increased its student body by a factor of 10 in just 10 years. It is also the second oldest institution of higher education west of the Mississippi. I will document how we started to veer from our historical theme during the 1970s and 80s, how we began to rediscover our heritage about a decade ago, and how we have more consciously sought to honor our traditional identity through a reaffirmation of our original mission. I will also convey how a deliberate return to our roots has played a significant role in our recent prosperity.
Publication Date
1999
Recommended Citation
Evans, James D., "Mission Restatement via Heritage Rediscovery: A Case Study" (1999). University Documents. 82.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/university_docs/82