The Purpose of College: Chasing Status or Improving Society?

College serves a dual purpose: it can be a means for individuals to chase personal status or a platform for preparing to improve society. The mission of higher education, particularly within Jesuit institutions, emphasizes equipping students with the tools to flourish not solely for individual gain, but for the betterment of the world. This approach encourages students to embrace the desire to contribute meaningfully to society, reinforced by the understanding that the pursuit of financial success and personal status may not lead to true happiness. Instead, fulfillment comes from the legacy one leaves behind and the impact one has on others, prompting reflection on the question of how one mattered in their lifetime.