Bellarmine's Catholic Identity
Bellarmine was founded by the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1950 as a Catholic men鈥檚 college, through the labors of Msgrs. Alfred F. Horrigan and Raymond J. Treece. In 1968, Bellarmine merged with Ursuline College, founded as a Catholic women鈥檚 college in 1938 by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. Today, Bellarmine is an inclusive and independent Catholic University that educates students 鈥� mind, body, and spirit 鈥� for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical leadership, and service to improve the human condition.
Our student population represents people across the spectrum of faith traditions, and those with no faith traditions. Today, about one third of our students identify as Catholic, and we have programming that supports those students along with programming for students of many backgrounds and faith traditions.
We educate the whole person to realize their highest potential as part of an interconnected world.
We believe that our catholic mission is to serve our community and welcome all, not because they are Catholic, but because we are.
We center our work in the Seven Pillars of Catholic Social Teaching:
- Option for the poor and vulnerable
- Call to family, community, and participation
- Solidarity
- Life and dignity of all human beings
- Care for all of God's creation
- Rights and dignity of workers
- Rights and responsibilities