Drawing inspiration from our patrons

A message from the Acting Executive Dean of Law and Business Professor Susan Dann AM:

In the short space of six weeks, both schools in the Faculty of Law and Business celebrate the feast days of their patrons: St Thomas More and St Peter Faber SJ. These saints are more than historical figures; their work and example continue to inspire the way we educate the professionals of the future 500 years later.

St Thomas More was an English lawyer, politician and author of the enduring text Utopia. A man of deep faith and conviction, in his private, public and legal lives More sought to conform to the just and the good, truth and the law. As an exemplar of service, courage and commitment to stand for what is right, More continues to inspire ACU’s law degrees and research today through the school’s focus on human rights, social justice and student engagement in the pro bono program.

St Thomas More’s feast day today, 22 June, was celebrated this year with the inaugural Thomas More Law School Public Lecture delivered by Professor Ian Freckelton AO QC earlier in the month.

Dean of the Thomas More Law School Professor Patrick Keyzer said: “Professor Freckelton gave an excellent lecture about Saint Thomas More, which stimulated an interesting question and answer session afterwards involving Supreme Court judges, Queen’s Counsel and students alike.

“It was a great opportunity for our intellectual community to meet and discuss and consider a topic of common interest and we hope to have more such events in the future.”

As a founding member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), St Peter Faber SJ recognised the vital role that business practices have in enabling the work of all organisations, including those with a social agenda. His approach to business is as relevant today as it was when Faber first highlighted the unique role of business in creating positive, systemic and long-term societal change. In Faber’s view, whilst charity is essential, good business enables people to support themselves and their families with dignity through the creation of productive work.

Inspired by this vision of business as a social as well as economic force, all programs in the Peter Faber Business School are underpinned by a commitment to see beyond the immediate business focus of creating shareholder value, to enhancing opportunity and supporting responsible business practices. St Peter Faber’s feast day is on 1 August.