Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

The Vincentian Center for Church and Society held the second lecture of its 2025–26 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture Series at St. John’s University’s Queens campus on October 9. The event featured Jason King, Ph.D., Beirne Chair and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, who addressed the topic “The Soul of Catholic Education.”

King described Catholic education as a “dynamic, bottom-up movement.” He stated, “It begins with students and their needs, and carries them upward toward meaningful lives, compassionate communities, and life to the fullest.”

During his presentation, King discussed how Catholic colleges encourage students to lead meaningful lives, participate in their communities, and make ethical decisions. He referenced national research from the Higher Education Holistic Impact Report that suggests graduates from Catholic institutions are more likely than others to experience fulfillment in life, engage actively in their communities, and develop a strong sense of moral responsibility. King connected these findings to the historical mission of Catholic education to serve immigrant and working-class families seeking financial stability and a sense of belonging.

Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M., Executive Director of the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University, commented on King’s message: “In his lecture and in his writing, Dr. King repeatedly emphasizes three values that stand at the center of Catholic higher education: meaningful lives, community engagement, and ethical decision making. His research has shown that these goals can hearten those who pursue a Catholic education. They are the needed ‘value-added’ elements that begin to justify the cost. As a result, Dr. King insists that the outcomes indicate that ‘the soul of Catholic higher education is alive and well.’”

The School of Education hosted the lecture, which drew about 90 attendees including students, faculty, administrators, and staff members. James D. Wolfinger, Ph.D., Dean of The School of Education at St. John’s University said, “The School of Education was honored to host Dr. King’s lecture. We believe our programs are the very embodiment of Catholic higher education, with its focus on uplifting individuals, families, and communities.”

The next lecture in this series is scheduled for November 17 at St. John’s University’s Queens campus. Joseph M. Vukov, Ph.D., Associate Director at The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago will present on “The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in an Era of Artificial Intelligence.”