Scholarship at the University refers to the in-depth investigation and shared search for knowledge and truth embodied in the University mission statement. Faculty and students learn to identify relationships and to make connections, both within their own academic areas of study as well as across disciplinary lines with other programs. They have the opportunity to work collaboratively on scholarly projects within an atmosphere of the highest academic integrity and to share knowledge gained with the University community and beyond.
Examples of scholarship at the University include the following:
- Scholarly research in more specialized areas that is used to enhance regular course offerings or is presented to the campus and local communities in open forums, seminars, and other venues;
- Published works such as research papers, dissertations, applied doctoral projects, articles, essays, editorials, book reviews, books, short stories, poetry, plays, or music;
- Presentations made at professional conferences, seminars, meetings, or conventions.
In addition to joining in scholarly research, faculty and students also share certain responsibilities toward scholarship. These responsibilities include the following:
- Establishing and cultivating a broad general knowledge base across academic programs and acquiring knowledge in one’s own discipline;
- Focusing on connecting scholarship to practice;
- Accepting responsibility for one’s own learning and seeking opportunities for scholarly dialogue; and
- Making the commitment to pursue learning throughout one’s entire life and to assist others in the pursuit of knowledge.
Above all, the faculty continually strive to convey a sense of excitement to their students in the shared search for knowledge and truth.