Ambrose of Milan (the ‘Ambrose Academy’) is designed to distinguish St. Ambrose University as a source of scholarship in the Liberal Arts, a focus for our identity as a diocesan university in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, and an investment in our commitment to be a leading Midwestern university. The Academy's motto: Fons Luminis, (font of learning) signals that the Academy is also founded t
o assist the global community of scholars who contribute their insights to the enrichment of our Church and our ever-more interconnected societies. The Ambrose Academy concentrates on four areas key to the mission of the university:
1) Scholarship, including an annual symposium of interdisciplinary scholars in the Liberal Arts, coursework, publications, and creative expressions.
2) Leadership in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Midwest and beyond, through developing resources, visiting professors, study-abroad, and research opportunities around this Father of the Church.
3) Relationship strengthening with enrichment, retention, and engagement among faculty, staff, students, administration and alumni through common activities, events, scholarships, and communications.
4) Calling the university community to engage in the Ambrosian spirit of intellectual, spiritual, ethical, social, and cultural enrichment. The Academy for the Study of Saint Ambrose of Milan is a considerable benefit to Saint Ambrose University community. This Academy, devoted to instruction and research, speaks to Ambrosians of the past, present, and future. It also attracts attention from non-Ambrosians locally, nationally, and internationally. The Academy helps the University to enact its mission, its charges, and its initiatives. This investment in Saint Ambrose, the patron of the University, demonstrates the University’s investment in itself. As an Academy dedicated to Saint Ambrose, the only one in the United States, at his eponymous university simply makes sense. The opportunity to instruct Ambrosians about their patron –students, staff, administration, faculty – is simultaneously the opportunity to reinforce the university mission and values. In the life and works of Saint Ambrose one finds our patron wrestling with intellectual, spiritual, ethical, and social issues. Indeed, he even addresses artistic and physical aspects of life. Ambrose is as once an active local leader, dedicated to Milan and to regional dioceses, and a driving force behind imperial events. Ambrose was determined to demonstrate that one could be both Roman and Catholic. As a theologian active in doctrine, Christology, biblical scholarship, sacraments, ecclesiology, and ethics, he is one of the four original “Fathers of the Church.” He is noted for his poetry and music composition, his translation work, his diplomacy, his judicial, criminal justice, and civil administration skills, his grasp of philosophy, literature, and science. He was a designer and builder, a community organizer, a staunch social justice advocate, a servant to the poorest. An ascetic, he drew upon, and helped define, Catholic spirituality. In short, he is the perfect model of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Liberal Arts. The Academy also answers a charge given to the faculty of Saint Ambrose University to teach, to research, and to promote global awareness. The Academy encourages original research, some already published by Ambrose faculty. Events during the academic year will help bring the saint to the community. In particular, each spring the Academy will host a lecture and symposium headlined by a major scholar in the field of Ambrose studies. Furthermore, the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan has made a formal relationship with an institution abroad that will lead to faculty and student exchanges. This international initiative complements the already established winter interim study abroad course “Rome & Theology” and the “Ambrose’s Italy” Alumni Study Trip. Finally, the Academy’s website, collection of images, and growing collection of books aids the efforts to teach, to research, and to promote global awareness. The Academy enhances the academic prestige of this university as it seeks to be recognized as a ‘leading Midwestern university.’ In addition to the efforts already mentioned, Cesare Pasini, the Vatican librarian, names Saint Ambrose University in the new introduction to Fr. Bud Grant’s recent translation of his book. Article published by SAU professors have appeared in the prestigious Studia Ambrosiana journal. The growing reputation of the University through this Academy brings new attention, and should attract students from outside the Iowa/Illinois region. The Academy too will promote retention and alumni involvement. The University’s interest in its patron saint inspires and challenges our students. Students who have seen the sites associated with Saint Ambrose in Italy develop a deeper bond with the University itself. As a diocesan university, Ambrose offers us a unique ‘charism’ that distinguishes it from secular, non-Catholic, and Catholic colleges administered by a religious order. By visibly enacting that mission throughout the year, the ‘Academy’ reinforces its message to students and alumni. We have already seen some deep interest among young alumni to support and engage in the work of the Academy through targeted donations, gifts of artwork, participation in programming, membership in the advisory board, and travelling to Italy. The Academy for the Study of Saint Ambrose of Milan serves as an anchor for the University. The instruction and research conducted through the Academy will promote the core values of the University and elevate its reputation among Ambrosians and non-Ambrosians, at home and abroad. The Ambrose Academy therefore does not simply promote an individual, a single department, or even a particular college. The Academy represents the entire university and its best vision of itself. In short:
• We are the only Catholic university in the world to bear his name.
• He is a perfect model for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the Liberal Arts
• Our university mission is reinforced by his life and works
• He inspires scholarship and creativity from our faculty
• He inspires emulation from the whole community
• Ambrosian Studies will attract attention from scholars all around the globe
• Such an intensely academic focus enhances the academic prestige of the university
• Scholarship of this nature impresses prospective students, families, and friends
• Alumni are interested in supporting such an initiative in a variety of ways
• We already have in place so many of the essential pieces: courses, scholarship, etc.
• It is a logical expression of our MOU with the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan
