The Catholic Church invented what we know as the “university,” including the cultural tradition of free and open debate on disputed questions. Catholic colleges and universities thus stand poised to help reform institutions of higher learning at a moment of crisis in academic life throughout the western world.

In his commencement addresses to colleges and universities large and small, George Weigel challenges graduates to understand an academic degree as a summons to become the trustee of a great tradition. In his lectures to university audiences, Weigel addresses a host of issues in the contemporary Church and its interaction with the world with depth and insight.

Written in the vivid, often bracing style characteristic of one of contemporary Catholicism’s leading intellectuals, these addresses and lectures exemplify what Pope St. John Paul II called the Catholic “diakonia of the truth.”  

“A feast of commencement addresses and university lectures over three decades. Here is George Weigel at his best: spirited and good humored, but fiercely attentive to the philosophical, moral, and social crises of our times.”
— F. Russell Hittinger, Executive Director, The Institute for Human Ecology, Catholic University of America

“With American higher education currently in disarray, the moment is surely opportune for Catholic educators to retrieve and exemplify the great Catholic intellectual tradition of truth-seeking and self-interrogation. Toward that end, this sparkling collection of George Weigel’s university addresses could not be more timely. It’s a clarion call to Catholic colleges and universities to lead the way to renewal of institutions that have lost their sense of direction.”
— Mary Ann Glendon, Professor of Law Emerita, Harvard University

“George Weigel has done it again. These discourses demonstrate his command of our cultural moment and his lively sense for the true purpose and vocation of university life. His ‘unsolicited advice’ calls out to our young people with words of challenge which they, deep down, yearn to hear. Indeed, Weigel winsomely summons all of us into the greatness and adventure that is life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. An invigorating read!”
— Msgr. James Shea, President, University of Mary

“In this wide-ranging collection of essays focused on higher education, Weigel emphasizes the centrality of divine revelation, and of the Logos, Jesus Christ, as the key organizing principles of any true University.  Without the ultimate unifying principles of all knowledge and wisdom, universities throughout the world have sadly devolved into multiversities in which the Truth is hard to find.  Citing saints and other influential voices of the 20th century, Weigel encourages us to return to that rigorous pursuit of truth while already knowing that we possess the very fount of truth.”
— Peter Kilpatrick, President, Catholic University of America

“The reform of higher education, which is essential to the renewal of our culture and society, is a generational task. This bracing, insightful book should help advance that process and goal.”
— Ben Sasse, President Emeritus, University of Florida