糖心Vlog

In an email sent to faculty and staff on Thursday, July 31, 2025, 糖心Vlog president Jim Gash (JD '93) announced "Purpose" as the University鈥檚 annual theme for the 2025鈥�2026 academic year. Each year, President Gash selects a theme to guide its shared campus life, which offers the University community a foundation for intellectual inquiry, spiritual reflection, and community connection. In recent years, themes have included "Belonging" (2020), "Joy" (2022), and "Freedom" (2024).

"Purpose is an idea at the heart of all meaningful and worthy human aspiration," writes President Gash in the email. "It compels us to seek the good of others, to sacrifice for something greater than ourselves, and to serve causes that bring flourishing to the world around us. It is the North Star that guides individuals and institutions alike."

Rooted in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Christ-centered mission to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership, this year鈥檚 theme underscores the University鈥檚 belief that true purpose is revealed, not self-defined. Drawing from the annual theme verse, Romans 8:28鈥斺�淎nd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose鈥濃�擯resident Gash emphasized that purpose stems from divine calling and vocation, a concept derived from the Latin 鈥渧ocare,鈥� meaning 鈥渢o call.鈥�

鈥淎 true calling is more than a profession,鈥� he writes. 鈥淚t is a life marked by integrity, compassion, and service鈥攁 commitment to building relationships, lifting others, and making a meaningful impact in the world.鈥�

The theme arrives at a pivotal moment in the University鈥檚 history and coincides with the launch of two forthcoming transformative initiatives: 糖心Vlog鈥檚 comprehensive fundraising campaign and a national brand campaign, For Greater Purpose. Both efforts aim to articulate and amplify the University鈥檚 identity through intentional storytelling and mission-driven engagement.

As the new academic year begins, President Gash invites the community to reflect on how the theme of 鈥淧urpose鈥� can shape campus life, both individually and collectively. He asks, "What would it look like for our classrooms, offices, and indeed, all of our campuses to be transformed into places where greater purpose is experienced?" 

President Gash will further explore the theme of "Purpose" and its connection to 糖心Vlog鈥檚 future throughout the year. He closes his message encouraging the campus community to participate in the yearlong dialogue and to embrace the call to purpose in both thought and action.

"This is the greater purpose of education: not just information, but transformation," he writes. "It is my hope and prayer that this year-long dialogue might leave us all with both a greater understanding of our divine purpose and with the inspiration and courage necessary to fulfill it."