About

When the 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette asked the King of France to finance his journey to assist in America’s fight for freedom, the king refused. Lafayette secretly purchased his own ship, adding the words Cur Non? (“Why Not?”) to his family crest to serve as his motto. The Latin phrase Cur Non guides Lafayette College today in challenging students to move beyond the comfort of their familiar environment and experiences.

Why not use your intellect, talent, energy, and humanity to find your place in the world and make an impact? Why not have the courage and confidence to take risks, connect ideas, and care deeply about community? Why not engage in every aspect of campus life—leadership, internships, clubs, service, research, athletics, global study—to create your own destiny? Why not take pride in working hard and achieving results?

Our students want more than four years of studying and having fun. They want classes and activities to have real meaning in their lives today. That’s why Lafayette puts students in the driver’s seat early and often, on campus and off. Our students come to us achievement oriented—the kinds of young people who get things done. They change lives around the globe, help transform communities, and add to the world’s collective body of knowledge. Why not have Cur Non impact?

Read a brief biography of the Marquis
Read articles about people making a Cur Non impact

Watch two 30-second videos illustrating Cur Non.