Why academic freedom is the key to Notre Dame’s success with John McGreevy

12:00 PM ET Mon., Aug. 19, 2024

Join Charles and Jill Fischer Provost John McGreevy ’86 as he discusses his time as a Notre Dame student, the University’s strategic framework, and our commitment to become a global leader in research and development.

This episode was originally released on October 30, 2023. To explore more, please visit their website.

In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Notre Dame Provost John McGreevy offered a powerful vision of what it means to be a world-class Catholic research university in the 21st century. Speaking with Lou Nanni from the 14th floor of Hesburgh Library, McGreevy reflected on the university’s deep academic traditions, its future trajectory, and why academic freedom is not only compatible with Catholic mission—it is essential to it.

McGreevy shared how the renovated library represents more than physical change; it symbolizes a commitment to student-centered learning, collaborative research, and intellectual community. Drawing on his own journey from South Dakota to Stanford to the halls of Notre Dame, he emphasized how the university can bridge global Catholicism with elite scholarship.

Much of the episode focused on the significance of Notre Dame’s recent admission into the AAU—a milestone years in the making. For McGreevy, this honor affirms Notre Dame’s excellence and amplifies its ability to be a distinctive voice in higher education: one that unites faith and reason, academic rigor and ethical purpose.

The conversation also explored Notre Dame’s 10-year strategic framework, which identifies key areas for multidisciplinary collaboration—poverty, ethics, democracy, sustainability, and global Catholicism. McGreevy underscored that these aren’t just academic goals; they’re moral imperatives.

Finally, he spoke passionately about academic freedom. At a time of national polarization, McGreevy positioned Notre Dame as a rare institution where civil disagreement, ideological diversity, and Catholic identity can coexist. At its best, the university is not merely a place for intellectual development—it is a “great experiment” in forming scholars, leaders, and citizens for the common good.

Library as Symbolic Space | [00:03:00 → 00:05:15]
The redesigned Hesburgh Library is more than a study zone—it’s a living symbol of Notre Dame’s commitment to community, reflection, and collaborative academic life.

AAU and Catholic Identity | [00:13:30 → 00:14:45]
Joining the AAU marks Notre Dame’s research excellence while affirming that Catholic identity is not an obstacle—it’s a differentiator on the national stage.

Strategic Framework as Moral Vision | [00:18:45 → 00:21:00]
McGreevy emphasized that key initiatives—like addressing poverty and sustainability—are not branding exercises but extensions of Catholic moral and social teaching.

Academic Freedom as Catholic Principle | [00:28:15 → 00:30:15]
True to Notre Dame’s mission, academic freedom creates space for robust, civil intellectual exchange that strengthens rather than compromises Catholic identity.

A Bold Institutional Experiment | [00:43:25 → 00:43:55]
Notre Dame is attempting something rare: a university that holds both elite academic standing and faithful Catholic mission together, in tension and harmony.

Mission Clarity: “We want to be on par with but distinct from the world’s best private universities.”
— John McGreevy [00:17:25 → 00:17:35]
Faith and Excellence: “We’re the only religiously affiliated university in the AAU. That’s significant.”
— John McGreevy [00:14:40 → 00:14:50]
Integrated Research: “The goal isn’t research for research’s sake—it’s impact for the common good.”
— John McGreevy [00:18:50 → 00:19:05]
Catholic Advantage: “Sometimes being a Catholic university lets us talk about things others struggle to.”
— John McGreevy [00:30:25 → 00:30:40]
Academic Freedom: “Tenured faculty aren’t employees. They’re equity partners in this firm we call Notre Dame.”
— John McGreevy [00:37:00 → 00:37:10]
Global Catholic Lens: “The average Catholic today is a person of color in the Global South—not someone who looks like me.”
— John McGreevy [00:31:00 → 00:31:15]
Notre Dame Stakes: “If we don’t succeed in being truly excellent and Catholic, no one else will.”
— John McGreevy [00:43:05 → 00:43:15]

Why academic freedom is the key to Notre Dame’s success with John McGreevy

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