In its third century, Transylvania University is committed to excellence in undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences. For over half of its distinguished history, the College has been affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), whose ideals of tolerance and freedom of inquiry the College shares.

The College believes that all students, no matter what career or vocation they choose, benefit from liberal education; and so the College encourages the free search for knowledge and understanding drawn from the natural and social sciences, the humanities, and the arts. By so doing, the College strives to empower students to develop lifelong habits of learning and intelligent, respectful discussion.

To support this mission, the College community values curiosity and thoughtfulness, as well as social, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. By encouraging students to participate and collaborate in learning, community service, and governance, the College seeks to prepare students for the responsibility of fostering a healthy society in a world shared by many different people, cultures, and nations.

Specifically, the College's goals are:

• To develop students' intellectual and creative abilities
• To stimulate the search for knowledge
• To promote open and fair-minded examination and discussion of values in all forms of endeavor
• To encourage inquiry and conversation across the traditional academic disciplines
• To stimulate in students an understanding of themselves and their relation to others in a diverse, ever-changing world
• To promote opportunity for students to develop as independent thinkers and leaders
• To foster a campus community characterized by compassion, respect, ethical concern, and social responsibility
• To establish a foundation for graduate and professional study, and a variety of satisfying careers

These goals, taken together, enable the College to provide its students with the basis for continuing intellectual development and for purposeful, responsible, and fulfilling lives.

The nature and purpose of Transylvania are expressed in the preceding statement of institutional purpose adopted by the faculty and Board of Trustees in 2001.