Press Releases

University of San Diego to Partner with Catholic Relief Services

Baltimore, MD, May 26, 2012 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the University of San Diego (USD), two of the leading Catholic institutions in the country, are to announce a formal partnership on Saturday, May 26, 2012 to enhance and expand the scope of ongoing collaboration.

The partnership builds on a decade of successful collaboration between these two institutions, particularly the collaborative work of CRS with USD’s Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Center for Community Service-Learning, University Ministry, and the International Center. Through a deepened relationship, CRS and USD seek to further each other’s mission to advance Catholic values of global solidarity and international social justice through enhancing institutional and individual engagement in their work.

“Through collaboration on many different levels within USD, we will be able to engage students, administration and faculty members in the academic and practical applications of faith and social justice to international issues and situations,” said James DeHarpporte, Regional Director for CRS’ West office. “Through this partnership, we will enhance the role of both our institutions as influential and transforming forces in the world.”

“The partnership underscores USD’s tradition of international community service learning and education for our students and faculty. Both CRS and USD strive to put into practice the principles of Catholic social teaching in order to contribute significantly to a more just and peaceful world,” said USD Executive Vice President and Provost, Dr. Julie Sullivan.

About the University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Catholic institution of higher learning chartered in 1949; the school enrolls some 7,800 undergraduate and graduate students and is known for its commitment to teaching, the liberal arts, the formation of values, and creating changemakers. The fall 2007 establishment of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies brings the University's total number of schools and colleges to six. Other academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Business Administration, Leadership and Education Sciences, Law and Nursing and Health Sciences.

About Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in need in nearly 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. For more information, please visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.