On October 3, 2001, the Board of Directors of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities approved a proposal for an annual journal to feature the peer reviewed research and writings of faculty and administrators of AFCU institutions. The purposes of the AFCU journal are:

• To strengthen the vision of Catholic higher education in the Franciscan tradition
• To connect all the discrete disciplines to a Franciscan philosophy and heritage
• To encourage an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to research and reflection from the Franciscan school of today
• To provide motivation for reflection on the breadth and depth of scholarship emanating from Franciscan institutions of higher learning.

It is hoped that this publication will offer an incentive for faculty and staff to reflect upon the distinct character of a Franciscan institution of higher education.

The publication of the journal is guided by a small editorial board and assisted by contact persons within each of the AFCU institutions. The views expressed in the articles are attributed to the authors and not to the member institutions. Permission to reprint articles should be directed to: Editor, The AFCU Journal, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring St., Fort Wayne IN 46808.