Designed for students, parents, and educators who believe that character matters, The Templeton Guide contains profiles of 50 college presidents who have exercised leadership in character development; 405 exemplary college programs in 10 categories; and 100 colleges and universities named to the Templeton Honor Roll for their record of commitment to inspiring students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives.
Steuer is profiled in the college presidents’ section for his leadership in promoting civic responsibility at Gustavus. He is credited with developing a strong service-learning component in the curriculum and strengthening the community service programs since he became the 13th president of Gustavus in 1991.
The book says that Steuer’s “profound conviction about community commitment… propels Gustavus students into living similar lives of civic action and responsibility.” As 1999 Gustavus graduate Ann Miller said during her senior year: “Over the past four years, President Axel Steuer has encouraged me to pursue not only academic endeavors, but my interest in music, athletics, and community service. He has successfully created an environment where Gustavus students can develop the skills, dedication, and sense of responsibility that enable us to make positive contributions to our communities.”
President Steuer is lauded for helping organize the Minnesota Campus Compact, a group of 45 college and university presidents committed to community service; creating the director of community service programs position at Gustavus; using presidential discretionary funds to support student involvement in Habitat for Humanity and in national conferences for peer counseling and leadership training; serving as faculty adviser to the college’s service fraternity; and supporting a faculty ethics chair and encouraging “ethics across the curriculum.”
"We are proud of Gustavus Adolphus College’s longtime commitment to
service and pleased with President Steuer’s continued support of it. With
a strong commitment to service and ethics, Gustavus students develop the
values that will serve them well beyond their college years," said Vice
President for College Relations and Development Dennis Johnson. "Character
development is a lifelong process, and we believe that colleges and universities
have a very important and unique role to play.”
Established in 1987, the John Templeton Foundation works closely with
educators, scientists, theologians, medical professionals, and other scholars
throughout the world to support more than 100 programs serving three chief
purposes: to encourage character development in schools and colleges; to
encourage an appreciation for the benefits of freedom; and to stimulate
serious and scientific research on the relationship between spirituality
and health.
Gustavus is a residential, liberal arts college that grants undergraduate degrees in 65 majors. The college, overlooking St. Peter and the Minnesota River Valley, was founded by Swedish Lutheran immigrants and named for Swedish King Gustav II Adolf. Gustavus is the oldest Lutheran college in Minnesota. At Gustavus, personal attention rules as small-sized classes are the norm and many students engage in collaborative research with their professors. Fully accredited and well known for its strong service-learning, writing, science, music, and athletic programs, Gustavus hosts a local chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and is internationally recognized for its annual Nobel Conference.