Since 1890, Whitworth has held fast to its founding mission to "provide an education of mind and heart" through rigorous and open intellectual inquiry guided by dedicated Christian scholars.

While some Christian universities limit discussion of certain ideas on their campuses, Whitworth encourages tough questions and a fearless search for answers wherever they may be found. And though many other institutions deny any role for religion in the pursuit of truth, Whitworth has consistently affirmed Christian conviction and intellectual curiosity as complementary rather than competing values.