In an effort to connect St. Thomas’ Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses, President Julie Sullivan gave her academic convocation address – normally held in the O’Shaughnessy Educational Center – on the downtown campus.

Welcoming back faculty and staff for a new academic year, Sullivan focused on unity during Tuesday’s speech, her third during her tenure as president. The address will alternate between campuses each year, with the goal of establishing a better connection between them.

Sullivan also touched on the importance of sustaining good habits and advancing the common good. She said she plans to exhibit habits of good communication and listening by providing new opportunities for community connections.

On the Minneapolis campus, Sullivan added an office where she plans to spend at least one day a week working. She will also have regular office hours during which students, faculty and staff can meet with her.

Sullivan and her cabinet will also work on three main goals this year: revision of the core curriculum, launching the university’s new brand and exploring logistics of offering a two-year college option at St. Thomas. The two-year option, President Sullivan said, will be a “mission-based education” that is “personalized, holistic and affordable.”

Referring to the university’s mission statement, Sullivan asked faculty and staff to think about what it means to advance the common good. In order for the mission of the university to be truly carried out, she said faculty must inspire and prepare their students to further the common good.

President Sullivan ended the convocation with the same quote she ended with last year, from Archbishop John Ireland.

“For as we will it, so shall the future be,” she said.

Madeleine Ley can be reached at madeleine.ley@stthomas.edu.