Contact Magazine - Fall, 2001 - Saint Joseph's College

16 Pages·2001·1.8 MB·English

by  Saint Joseph's College

FaU 2001
b'^-i
In this issue:
2001 Homecoming
Information p. 3
Alumni Achievement
Awards p. 4
A Conversation with the
New President of SJC,
Dr. Ernest Mills, III p. 6
Saint Joseph's College
and the Call to
Community Service p. 8
Rededication of the
Chapel Windows p. 11
Sports News p. 13
Class Notes p. 15
Pictured here: An SJC student
volunteers her time to paint the
office building of a local non¬
profit organization. See the
story about SJC and
community service on page 8.
A Quarterly ^Publication for Alunnni, P^arents,
and Friends of Saint Joseph's College
\
-.f
Contact
James E.Madden'64,
Alumni
Fall 2001: Volume 59, Number 1
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Association
Published quarterly for Alumni, Parents, and
Board of Dr. Ernest Mills, III,
Friends of Saint Joseph's College
Directors President
Maureen Egan'90, Please send changes of address and other
Officers Vice President for correspondence to:
Bernard A.Balas'57 Saint Joseph s College
Institutional Advancement and
President P.O. Box 870
Marketing
Rensselaer, Indiana 47978
Steve Ligda '62 James Wirtes'97, Phone: [phone]
VP of Alumni Relations Alumni and Parent Relations Toll Free: 800-227-1898
Fax: [phone]
Manager
Louis B.Offer'69
enictil: [email protected]
VP of Academics, Maia Kingman,
Placement, and
Editor, Contact
Recruiting See Contact on the web at
Mark Randall'91 and Maia Kingman,
http://contact.saintjoe.edu/
MarkRandall'91 Design, Contact
Bob Dusek'98, Webmaster, Contact
VP of Campus
Relations
Michael Bauman'79 From the Alumni Board President, Bernard A.Balas'57
VP Administration
P
JimWirtes'97 lease plan to Salerno ‘57 and Sam Rankin ‘64.
Executive Director attend the Congratulations to AI and Sam, who are
2001 Homecoming two of the five college presidents
Weekend, Septem¬ included in the ranks of SJC alumni.
Directors
Jane Ames'73 ber 14, 15, and 16. A
diverse, interesting
Jerome Bosch‘59
weekend is sched¬ Prospective Student Receptions
Terra Callaway'97 uled. For the sports We recently held five receptions for
Bernard A. Balas ‘57 fan, there will be prospective students and their parents.
Jack Carlson'56
football and baseball These are students who are interested in
on Saturday, soccer on Friday and attending SJC in August 2002. These
Bob Companik'56
Sunday. If you have not been on receptions were hosted by several
James Deegan'59 campus for a few years, you might want “financial angels,” including:
to take a campus tour, a new addition to
Judy Dever'90
the Homecoming schedule. These tours, Indianapolis: College Trustees
Ed Habrowski‘71 led by College staff, will help you get Phil Wilhelm ‘63, Tim Downey
reoriented. ‘60, and Frank Short.
Bruce Hicks'79
Saturday morning will feature a
Karey Klott-Engels'97 presentation by Dr. Ernest Mills, III, Merrillville: Jim Quinn ‘63
SJC’s new President. At the presenta¬
Irish Leurck'91
tion you will have the opportunity to Fort Wayne; Paul ‘54 and C.J.
meet Dr. Mills. The College Store and Steigmeyer ‘91
Thomas C.Madison'70
the Homecoming registration will also be
Georgia McKim'89 open Saturday morning. South Bend: College Trustee, Tom
Mass will be held in the College Kuhar ‘64, Kevin ‘72 and Jane
MarkRandall'91
Chapel Saturday afternoon and Sunday Gartland White ‘73.
Brian Studebaker'92 morning. Saturday evening will feature
the annual banquet honoring the reunion St. Louis: Bernie Balas ‘57.
Julie Suhr'89
classes and Alumni Association award
Michael Vallone'60 winners.
The Homecoming schedule of Parents’ Weekend
Student Director
events (including the bigger and better Our major event in October is
Chris Campbell '02
Beer and Brat Tent) is detailed on the Parents’ Weekend. All parents and
Director Emeriti next page. alumni are invited to the October 5, 6, and
Philip J.Wilhelm'63 On page four, you will find career 7 festivities. Watch for a mailing with
infomiation about the two Alumni more information about the weekend’s
Achievement Award winners for 2001: Al events, ijf-
Meet your friends at -1
Homecoming 2001 Homecoming Reservation |
Name_ ,
Class Year_ Phone (_)_ I
I
Spouse_
Spouse's SJC Class Year (if applicable)_ i
Address_
I
City_ State_ Zip_
Friday, September 14
Honor Class Golf at Curtis Creek RESERVATION AND PRE PAYMENT REQUIRED:
Country Club.
Women's Soccer vs. the University _I (we) will attend the Saturday (9/15) Alumni Dinner. $25
of Missouri-St. Louis, 5:30pm. per person ($30 per person if not pre-registered). In¬
Men’s Soccer vs. the Univeristy of cludes dinner, wine, and Homecoming glassware.
Missouri-St. Louis, 7;30pm.
Class of 1956 reception and class _I (we) will attend the Friday (9/14) Class of 1961 Golf
gift presentation. Core XI, Outing. $35 per person.
6-9pm.
Saturday, September 15 _I (we) will attend the Friday (9/14) Class of 1961 Dinner
Class of 1961 class gift presenta¬ (after the golf outing). $20 per person.
tion, Banet Core Education
Center, 9am.
Alumni Baseball Game, 9am. Total Amount Enclosed $_
Speech by SJC's new President,
Dr. Ernest Mills, III, Banet Make checks payable to Saint Joseph's College. Availability is
Core Education Center, limited, so reservations must be made by September 7, 2001.
9;30am. Saturday's dinner is on a first-reserved, first-served basis. Mail
Women's Tennis vs. Lewis form to: Saint Joseph's College, Alumni and Parent Relations
University, 9am. Office, Box 870, Rensselaer, IN 47978.
Alumni Men's Soccer Game,
10:30am.
Campus tours, 10am. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Football vs. Shepherd College
Rams, Noon. _I (we) plan to attend the Class of 1956 Reception,
Beer and Brat Tent, 10:30am- Friday, 9/14.
4:30pm.
Laser Tag _I (we) plan to attend the speech given by President Mills,
Mass and dedication of Korea/ Saturday, 9/15.
Vietnam War Memorial
Plaque, Chapel, 5pm. _I (we) plan to attend the 1961 Class Gift Presentation,
Cocktail reception and Alumni Saturday, 9/15.
Banquet.
Comedian Dave Rudolph at _I would like to take part in a Campus Tour, Saturday, 9/15.
Core Xl, 9pm.
For more information contact the
Send this form to: Alumni Association, Saint Joseph’s College,
Alumni Office by phone at
P.O. Box 870, Rensselaer, IN 47978
1-800-227-1898 or by e-mail at
[email protected]. _I
Fall 2001 3
Alumni News
Alumni Achievement Awards
Achievement Awards are presented each year at the Homecom¬
ing Alumni Banquet. This year, the Banquet will be held September
15th and awards will be presented to two SJC alumni who have seiwed
as college Presidents. Albert A. Salerno ‘57 went on from Saint
Joseph’s College to earn his M.A. in Educational Administration at the
University of Akron. He began his career in education working as an
instructor of Economics and History at Niles McKinley High School.
He first became an administrator at Mahoning Valley Vocational
School, where he was Director of Programmed Learning. From that
point on, he worked his way into positions of increasing responsibility,
from Supervisor of a basic education program to Director of a voca¬
tional school to Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs at a
community college. Finally, Salerno served as President of Clark State
Community College from 1987 to 1997. He is now retired.
Samuel H. Rankin, Ph.D., ‘64 earned a Master’s degree in
History from the University of Wyoming and a Ph.D. in History from
Kent State University. Rankin taught Histoiy at a number of institu¬
tions before he was named Dean and Vice President for Academic
Affairs of Valley City State College in North Dakota. He served as
Academic Vice President at Eastern Montana College before being
named President of Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska.
Rankin served as President from 1986-1998, and he now serves on the
Board of Trustees and is President Emeritus. During the first half of
Rankin’s Presidency, enrollment increased by 60.6% at Chadron State
College. The College also undertook its first Capital Campaign and
piloted the “virtual” university concept while Rankin served as
President.
Pictured at top: Albert A. Salerno
‘57. At bottom: Samuel H.
Rankin, Ph.D., ‘64.
Ceramic Miniatures
Available at
Homecoming Contact
is printed by
The Saint Joseph's Col¬
lege Alumni Association will
be selling limited edition, ce¬
ramic miniature replicas of the
Saint Joseph's College Chapel
during Homecoming weekend.
These models will make a great
Christmas gift for students,
alumni, parents or friends of
SJC. Only 300 of these minia¬
tures will be available. Proceeds will help support the Alumni
Faulstich Printing is
Association's programs. For more infonnation contact the Alumni
owned and operated by
Office at 1-800-227-1898 or [email protected].
Fred Faulstich '60
4 tSf' Contact
ccaamm pus
Other News
Help Admissions Reach Prospective Pumas!
C.PP.S Working To End
Death Penalty
Encourage students you know to stop by the
Ending the death penalty in SJC booth at the college fairs in your area:
the U.S. has become a goal of the
Missionaries of the Precious 9/11 East Chicago Area at E. Chicago Central H.S., IN, 7:30-1 lam
Blood, Cincinnati Province. 9/11 Heritage H.S. in Monroeville, IN, 8:00-11:30am
At a business assembly 9/12 Montini Catholic H.S. in Lombard, IL, 12:45-2:45pm
held in May in Carthagena, Ohio, 9/12 Niles Township High Schools at Niles West H.S., IL, 7-9pm
the Missionaries of the Precious 9/13 Maine Township High Schools at Maine West H.S., IL, 7-9pm
Blood passed the following 9/18 Notre Dame H.S. in Detroit, MI, 9:30-11:20am
corporate statement: “Motivated 9/18 Edison Community College in Piqua, OH, 12:30-2:30pm
by our shared mission of recon¬ 9/18 Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL, 7:00-9:00pm
ciliation, the Missionaries of the 9/19 Versailles H.S., OH, 11:30 A.M.-l :00pm
Precious Blood, Cincinnati 9/20 Oakland Community College at Orchard Ridge, MI, 6:30-8:30pm
Province, affirm our belief in the 9/20 Greenville Senior H.S., OH, 9:30-11:00am
sacredness of all life. We believe 9/24 Maria H.S. in Chicago, IL, 10:40 A.M.-l :00pm
that capital punishment is an 9/24 Heniy County at New Castle Middle School, IN, 6:30-8:00pm
affront to the sacredness of life 9/24 Noble County West Noble H.S., IN, 8:30-10:30am
and should be abolished. To put 9/25 Saint John Vianney H.S. in Saint Louis, MO, 7:00-9:00pm
these words into action, we will 9/25 Wayne H.S. in Fort Wayne, IN, 8:30-10:00am
engage in activities that will seek 9/25 Dubois-Vincennes-Jasper Counties, IN, 7:00-8:30pm
to end the death penalty in those 9/25 Fort Wayne lACAC at IPFW, Walb Ballroom, IN, 6:30-8:00pm
States where it is still in effect and 9/25 North Side H.S., IN, 1:00-2:30pm
to work toward the goal of ending 9/25 Resurrection H.S. in Chicago, IL, 7:00-9:00pm
the death sentence in our nation. 9/26 Elmhurst H.S., IN, 8:30-10:00am
We will encourage our members 9/26 Snider H.S., IN, l:00-2:30pm
and lay Companions to work with 9/26 Queen of Peace H.S., IL, 7:00-9:00pm
us in this endeavor. Together we 9/26 Greater Lafayette Area at Jefferson H.S., IN, 6:00-8:00pm
will seek to promote a justice that 9/26 Bishop Luers H.S., IN, 6:30-8:00pm
seeks to bring healing and growth 9/27 Indianapolis Westside at Ben Davis H.S., IN, 7:00-8:30pm
to both the victim’s family and 9/27 New Haven H.S., IN, 6:30-8:00pm
perpetrator.” *2, 9/27 Marist H.S. in Chicago, IL, 7:30-9:00pm
9/27 Bishop Dwenger H.S., IN, l:00-2:30pm
Master Plan Update 9/27 Concordia Lutheran H.S., IN, 8:30-10:00am
9/28 Josephinum H.S. in Chicago, IL, 9:30-11:15am
Work continues on the
9/28 Holy Trinity H.S. in Chicago, IL, 12:30-2:15pm
College’s 1999 Facilities Master
9/30 Saint Charles Community College in Saint Peters, MO, 12-3pm
Plan. By this time, a number of
10/1 Hazelwood School District in Florissant, MO, 6:30-8:00pm
construction and renovation
10/1 Saint Patrick H.S. in Chicago, IL, 7:00-9:00pm
projects have been completed.
10/1 Kokomo Regional at Kokomo H.S., IN, 6:30-8:00pm
Most recently, laboratories in the
10/2 Toledo Area Catholic H.S.'s at Lourdes College, OH, 6-8:30pm
Science building underwent a
10/3 West Catholic H.S. in Grand Rapids, MI, 6:30-8:30pm
major renovation, including
10/3 E.L. Bowsher H.S. in Toledo, OH, 6:30-8:00pm
gutting and rebuilding the
10/3 Rock Valley College, IL, 6:00-8:30pm
organic chemistry laboratory,
10/4 St. Francis deSales H.S. in Chicago, IL, 9:00-11:30am
which is now twice the size it was
10/4 Grand Rapids Area at Calvin College, MI, 6:30-8:30pm
before, with new cabinets, drop
10/4 Oakland Community College, Highland Lakes, Ml, 6:30-8:30pm
ceilings, two new fume hoods,
10/7 Greater Evansville at U. of Southern Indiana, IN, l:30-4:00pm
and space for computer worksta¬
10/8 Wabash Regional at Honeywell Center, IN, 6:30-8:00pm
tions. Other new additions
10/8 Greensburg Regional at Greensburg H.S., IN, 7:00-8:30pm
include central air conditioning
for the organic, quantitative
For a complete list of High Schools visited by SJC in October
analysis, and physical chemistry
and November, call the Admissions Office at 1-800-447-8781.
laboratories. •Sr
Fall 2001 5
W
hen asked how he is faring in the transi¬ Before coming to Saint Joseph's College, Mills
tion from Newburgh, in Southeastern New served as Vice President for Development at Mount
York, to Rensselaer, Indiana, Dr. Ernest Mills, III, the Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. He says
new President of Saint Joseph's College, says "It's that becoming a college President is "like looking
easier to ride bicycles here, that's for sure." through a new set of glasses" because he has to look
Mills says he finds there is a "certain beauty" at the collegiate culture from a new viewpoint.
particular to the Midwest. "You have large horizons Mills says that he became interested in taking
here that are beautiful," he says. He adds that it does up the challenge of serving as a college President pre¬
take some getting used to, adjusting to a different cisely because it is a challenge. "You have to test your
kind of terrain. "The land here seems to have less own skills," he says. "To me that's worth trying to do.
features. I haven't It's a unique chal¬
gotten the nuances of lenge to work with a
the land yet, so I'm larger scope of
not sure where I am people than you
except that 1 know the work with when
route number," he you're a Vice Presi¬
says, smiling. dent. Bringing
Mills settles people together to
back in a chair in his identify potential
new office, which problems, to pro¬
overlooks the en¬ pose solutions, and
trance to the College to put together team
campus. The office efforts to achieve
is sparsely decorated, those solutions
the empty bookcases seems to me to be a
balanced by a picture fascinating thing to
of the Mills family do."
and a potted ficus Mills sees his
tree, wrapped in a own strengths and
big, red bow-a gift the role of a Presi¬
from Board of Trustee dent as being
member Phil Wilhelm. complementary. "I
Mills an'ived on like very much to
campus July 9th to work with people. I
begin the work of the like to synchronize
President, and by the the activities of
end of his first week, people. And I like
he had not yet had the politics of a com¬
time to fill the book¬ munity," he says.
case, arrange the After listing what he
desk drawers, and considers to be his
otherwise establish himself in his office. Instead, Mills administrative strengths, he pauses and laughs. "I've
was busy familiarizing himself with the campus and its never been touted as a good speller," he says with a
facilities, as well as meeting staff, faculty, students, smile. "My strengths are more ethereal than that."
and members of the C.PP.S. community. People skills are important for an administrator
He seems to like what he sees. When asked in any setting, but Mills feels strongly about working
about his impression of Saint Joseph's so far, he talks in higher education, because he finds the academic
about a spirit of camaraderie. "You have a genuine environment compelling. "A college is a place of
sense of community here," he says. "I've seen col¬ dreams-it is always a place of tomorrow. Whether
laboration up and down the line. There are faculty on you're a young, traditional student or an older adult
the Board of Trustees. There are administrators who going back to school, a college helps you look for¬
are Trustees and who also teach. The faculty and ward to the future. And so a college is a place of
staff here socialize together, they solve problems to¬ optimism and hope, and that's a great environment to
gether. I've never seen such a sense of collaboration. work in."
Collegiality is a word that is used in higher education, "The other thing I enjoy," he adds, still thinking
but you don't often see it as advanced as it is here. about academia, "is that it is a place where ideas and
That is a special feature of the College for me." human achievement are valued. I like to participate in
6 *4?' Contact
c a m p u
that achievement, even if it is only vicariously. As an ward to meeting alumni at Homecoming, and invites
administrator, 1 like facilitating its coming about. alumni to his address Homecoming weekend. (See
There's a sense of satisfaction in that." page 3 for information about the address.)
In the time he has spent with Board of Trustee In general. Mills seems to be enjoying settling
members, administrators, and faculty, Mills has been into the Saint Joseph's College community, but he is
able to get a sense of where the College needs to go to also looking forward to the end of August, when his
be competitive. "Saint Joseph's has to work on a wife, Liz, who is still in New York, hopes to join him in
couple of things: enrollment and fundraising. Those Rensselaer. In a telephone interview, Mrs. Mills said
are areas that I plan to concentrate on," he says. she is eager to discover what role she might play at
"Higher education is an expensive business. The cam¬ the College. "I am looking forward to seeing what I
pus of Saint can do to help. I
Joseph's, the infra- would especially like
strueture, is well de¬ to be involved with
veloped for a school the students and the
that is 100 years old, Church," she says.
but it needs to be She shares her
maintained and de¬ husband's enthusi¬
veloped more to re¬ asm for education.
spond to student She has taught el¬
needs. These are ementary school and
things that the Presi¬ elementary school-
dent has to address." aged special educa¬
Mills says he tion students, and is
has no illusions currently applying
about the challenges for certification in In¬
that face him in these diana so that she can
areas. "This is not a substitute teaeh as
place where the her schedule allows.
President comes and She is an avid volun¬
only needs to keep teer, having done
the ball rolling. Saint work with Big Broth¬
Joseph's College ers Big Sisters, Lit¬
needs to aehieve eracy Volunteers of
measurable results in America, and Friends
fundraising, enroll¬ of the Library. She
ment, and in its own Ernest and Liz Mills plans to continue
advaneement, but such work in
these challenges are not uncommon for a liberal arts Rensselaer. She also hopes to find time for tennis, her
college. And for me, this pursuit is very worthwhile. I new passion, as well as for making occasional visits
would not be drawn here if there were no challenges." back east to visit with the Mills' sons. Rich and Ben.
Mills also recognizes a number of important Dr. and Mrs. Mills have bought a house in
strengths at Saint Joseph's. For example, he is quiek Rensselaer, and are looking forward to beginning a
to note that the spirit of eollegiality that he has ob¬ new life in the Midwest. Mrs. Mills feels optimistic
served at the College includes alumni. "That's a good about the future. "I found the people so very friendly
indication of the strength of a school," he says, and when I visited, I feel it will be a wonderfully easy tran¬
notes that it is also an important element in the devel¬ sition," she says. "I'm really looking forward to the
opment of a private school. "Often the question is move. It's all so exciting to have a new life."
asked, 'do your alumni support you?' If you don't This year's academic theme, "Open to New Hori¬
have a high percentage of alumni who do, you're not zons," which sets the tone for the school year, seems
apt to get support from foundations and corporations." to have particular significance for Dr. and Mrs. Mills,
He urges alumni to continue contributing at a as they settle into their new lives and into the new
high level of support to assist future generations of landscape of the Midwest. Maybe, too, the Saint
Pumas. "If you received a scholarship while you were Joseph's College community will have the chance to
here," he says, "the odds are that, in part, that schol¬ see its own campus, programs, and mission as a new
arship was funded by alumni through the College Fund. horizon with the fresh perspective of these two new
Please think about giving back to the next generation leaders on campus. *31*
what has come to you." Mills adds he is looking for¬
Fall 2001 7
; ■' ■#;• i i, yjk\
. Las! Full, Profc'^sor John X
^roppe ’s Freshman Seminar *
sfikienfs volunteered their, time
,to paint this house, which is
f i home to a non-profit
' ; organization in Rensselaer.
\ Students pictured her^ are;
Katie Hardiman (upper left),
Roman Rodrigues (upper'
rightK Elizabeth Yuraitis (lower
' right), and Beth Von Alman
(lower left). Communify '
service is a requirement of ■
Freshman Seminar, an
orientation course for Saint
Joseph‘s College students: -
firm
campus
In the Fall of2000, Father Tim been involved in some very active community. "That means that for
McFarland ‘78, Assistant Vice groups on campus and I am very the services we contribute to the
President of Academic Affairs and thankful for what 1 have learned College, we get a portion of the sal¬
coordinator of the College's Core from them and also how they have ary we would ordinarily get. Es¬
Program, asked faculty and staff to helped me grow as a person." sentially, we give our lives in ser¬
count the number of hours their vice." Hemm says that members of
students spend in community ser¬ Service and the C.PP.S. the C.PP.S. are models for others
vice. "1 know of many volunteer More and more, students like on campus. "It is a way to show
activities that students are involved Kreinbrink are becoming volun¬ the great benefit of service, espe¬
in, and I just got curious about how teers, and both private and public cially in a world in which we tend
many hours our stu¬ to think in terms of
dents contribute in working strictly for
Service and
community service," compensation."
McFarland says. Hemm says
"I asked faculty that he doesn't ex¬
and staff to sort of pect every student to
keep a mnning total of be inspired by the
SaintJosephus
'person' hours for vol- service of the Mis¬
Li n t e e r / c o m m u n i t y sionaries of the Pre¬
service areas they su¬ cious Blood. How¬
pervise." His poll ever, he says, "it is
found that SJC stu¬ exciting to see those
dents participated in 6,942 docu¬ seniors who do catch on to the
mented volunteer hours of commu¬ spirit of service and who go out into
Poll finds that, in one
nity service in the Fall 2000 semes¬ the world realizing 'the world is big¬
ter. The hours were spent contrib¬ ger than me, and there is more to it
semester, SJC students
uting such varied projects as a than the size of my paycheck.'"
Boys' and Girls' Club, highway
spent nearly 7,000
cleanup. Habitat for Humanity, Service and the Curriculum
sexual assault prevention pro¬ Another factor that might
volunteer hours in
grams, and Saturday classes for el¬ contribute to SJC students' involve¬
ementary school students. ment in community service is the
community service.
"I was really amazed as I to¬ inspiration of the College's Core
taled up the hours," McFarland Program. The Core Program, SJC's
says. "There is a lot of volunteer unique vision of general education,
service being offered by our stu¬ schools across the country are de¬ asks students to see themselves as
dents, as well as by our staff I was voting resources for community a part of a global community that
especially struck as I read some service. But given this trend, nearly both shapes them and is, in turn,
numbers of service hours from 7,000 hours of student volunteer shaped by them. The culmination
larger Catholic Universities, with work is still high. of the program is a consideration
student populations 10 to 15 times One factor that might contrib¬ of current affairs and ethics, with
our own." In terms of volunteer ute to that high rate of involvement Christian Humanism, which affirms
hours of community service, is the presence on campus of the the dignity and value of each per¬
McFarland says, "we rank right up Missionaries of the Precious Blood son for the purpose of increasing
there with programs like the Uni¬ (C.PP.S.), the College's founding the common good, as a focus.
versity of Dayton." order. The Missionaries of the Pre¬ John Groppe is a Professor of
"Being a volunteer at SJC has cious Blood take as their inspira¬ English at SJC who encourages his
been one of the best experiences tion St. Caspar del Bufalo, who students to undertake volunteer
of my life," says Senior Theresa spent his life ministering to what work as a part of their academic ex¬
Kreinbrink, who is Director of the he called the "people on the fringe," perience at Saint Joseph's, espe¬
Student Union Board, which brings the marginalized sick and poor. cially as part of their experience in
speakers and events to campus free "The members of the C.PP.S. Core. He explains the connection:
of charge to students. "Volunteer¬ community are here on what is "In Core we talk about human dig¬
ing has become an important part called a 'contributed services pro¬ nity as one of the main elements of
of my time at Saint Joe's. For the gram,"' says Brother Tim Hemm a Christian Humanism. We affirm
past two and a half years, I have ‘70, the local Director of the C.PP.S. that each person has a great worth
Fall 2001 9
-]
c a m p u 1
ll
because she or he was created in ies have found that the "Y" gen¬ self that I can make a difference on
the image of God. That's pretty ab¬ eration is highly active in campus.” Taylor suggests that
stract. But when the students, and volunteerism on a local level. community service has taught her
we along with them, volunteer to Therefore, many students are com¬ valuable lessons about life.
do some work for Birthright, for ex¬ ing to the Saint Joseph's College "When I helped clean up after
ample, and even meet some of the campus already seeing community floods, sometimes the people I met
clients of the center, the abstrac¬ service as a part of their lives. were proud, and it was hard for them 1
tion becomes concrete and imme¬ Senior Megan Taylor is a per¬ to accept help. Volunteering in situ¬ ]
diate. The experience achieves fect example. Taylor has been vol¬ ations like that gives you perspec¬
what no lecture can accomplish." unteering since she was 12, work¬ tive and lets you see the changing 1
Some faculty at Saint Joseph's ing with handicapped children, at¬ nature of life."
1
encourage volunteer work as part tending weekend work camps, and Professor Berger says he 1
of departmental courses as well. participating in disaster relief She loves to see these epiphanies tak¬
feels that volunteerism is a part of ing place when he works with stu¬
\
her philosophy of life. "The only dents involved in Habitat for Hu¬
"Being a volunteer at SJC
thing you leave behind you in life manity. "Fve seen my students
has been one of the best is how you treat people," she says. becoming more compassionate i
"That's why you're here. 1 like to about people less fortunate than i
1
experiences of my life," use what 1 know to help people they are. Poverty often seems face¬
i
because 1 feel like that's what life is less, but when you meet the part¬
says Senior Theresa about." "Besides," she adds, "you ner families through Habitat [who
can work for money all your life, live in the houses built by volun¬
}
Kreinbrink but that doesn't necessarily make teers], it can be eye-opening. I've
j
>
you happy. What makes you seen my students come to realize
happy is to see smiles on the faces 'There but for the grace of God go m
X
Brian Capouch, Assistant Profes¬ of people you help." I.'"
I
sor of Computer Science, asks his Junior Jen Sherburne sees
Computer Science students to community service as a part of her
spend a number of volunteer hours religious background. When she
involved in computer-related com¬ is asked why she volunteered to
munity service projects. Last year, direct last year's Covenant House
Capouch's students taught people Candlelight Vigil, she says: "I grew
on and off campus how to config¬ up and went through 12 years of
ure their computers, tutored Catholic education. Because of
underclass Computer Science ma¬ that background, it seemed like sec¬
jors who needed help, and worked ond nature to get involved."
as volunteer lab monitors. Father McFarland notes that
Sophomore Anne Domasica
even students who don't identify
assembles crafts with a child at the
Volunteerism and "Generation Y" with a religious tradition are using Gallagher Charitable Society's
But the students at Saint volunteerism as a way to express Christmas party for children in need.
Joseph's do not have to be urged their spirituality. "From what I read
into community service. They of¬ about and experience with the Col¬ Service after SJC
ten come to campus clamoring for lege students, often they tend to Countless Saint Joseph's
it. "When 1 offered to establish a be attracted to a spirituality rather alumni continue to participate in
Habitat for Humanity email list last than an organized religion. Fve read community service. Two rather ex¬
year, 80 people signed up for it," about increasing interest in volun¬ traordinary examples are Harriet
says Fred Berger, Associate Pro¬ teer activity that is often an out¬ Mahaffey '79 and Mary Williams
fessor of Communication. "At a growth of [the students'] spiritual¬ '91, founders and board members
school of 1,000 students, that num¬ ity." of the Emmaus Mission Center in
ber is pretty impressive." The students seem to agree Logansport, IN. The mission cen¬
The high level of interest in that they also reap personal re¬ ter offers a wide array of services
programs like Habitat for Human¬ wards for their efforts. Sherburne for those in need, including a food
ity is undoubtedly due, in part, to says that directing the candlelight pantry, furniture and second-hand
the increasing rate of young vigil gave her leadership experience. clothing shop, transitional housing
people's participation in such ac¬ Kreinbrink says that volunteer ex¬ for homeless families, and aid for
tivities nationwide. Recent stud¬ perience “helped me prove to my¬
(Continued on page 12.)
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