Maryville Makes Another Pioneering Step Towards Enhancing Community Health and Well-Being
[ST. LOUIS, MO – April 11, 2025] – Maryville University is proud to announce its adoption of the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges. This historic step underscores Maryville’s dedication to fostering a thriving, sustainable, and health-promoting campus community. The formal signing of the Charter will take place during the Health & Well-being Summit on Thursday, April 17th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm (CST), marking a significant milestone in the university’s ongoing commitment to holistic well-being.
The Okanagan Charter, developed in 2015, calls on higher education institutions to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally. Maryville is the sixth in Missouri and second in St. Louis adopting the charter, joining a growing network of institutions worldwide committed to advancing health, equity, and sustainability.
“Maryville University has always been a leader in innovation and student success,” said Dr. Mark Lombardi, PhD, president of Maryville University. “By adopting the Okanagan Charter, we are reaffirming our commitment to the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader St. Louis community. This is not just about improving individual outcomes—it’s about creating a culture of compassion, equity, and sustainability that will benefit generations to come.”
Maryville will become one of the first 50 universities in the United States to adopt the Okanagan Charter, the sixth in Missouri, and only the second in St. Louis. This initiative aligns with Maryville’s mission to provide transformative education and to lead by example in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
The adoption of the Okanagan Charter brings numerous benefits to the Maryville community, including:
- Enhanced student experience and a more motivated and supported workforce
- A focus on sustainability and well-being for students, staff, and faculty.
- Reduced costs related to illness and absenteeism.
- Coherent policies that align with internal and global health goals.
Dr. Oliver Tacto, a key advocate for this initiative, emphasized the importance of this step: “This is a transformative moment for Maryville. By uniting our existing health and well-being initiatives under our ‘8 Dimensions of Wellness’ structure and the internationally recognized framework of the Okanagan Charter, we are positioning ourselves as a national leader in holistic well-being and sustainability.”
The Health & Well-being Summit, where the Charter will be signed, will feature discussions, workshops, and activities that highlight Maryville’s commitment to health promotion and sustainability. The event will bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to celebrate this milestone and explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation in health promotion.
For more information about Maryville University’s commitment to health and well-being, please visit contact the Dean of Student Wellness, Dr. Oliver Tacto, at otacto@maryville.edu. Information regarding the Okanagan Charter and Maryville’s commitments aligning with the charter will be available via a dedicated web page in the coming weeks.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from 50 states and 56 countries. More than 50,000 Maryville alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.
About the Okanagan Charter
The Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges was developed in 2015 during the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. The Charter provides a framework for higher education institutions to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.