Letter from Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C

FALL 2020 / WINTER 2021

Since the last issue of Connections, we were able to enroll a strong fi rst year class even in the face of a debilitating pandemic. With a commitment from our students, faculty, and staff to follow specifi c guidelines and safety protocols established this fall, we had a successful fall semester school of in-person instruction and overcame this diffi cult moment in time with true grit and dedication to the Holy Cross tradition. Our spring semester started with in-person classes and we plan to remain on campus throughout the semester.

Perfect timing that the focus of this issue is Citizen and highlights the courageous, compassionate and devoted members of the Holy Cross community. Outside of their rigorous studies, our students involve themselves in the world and our alumni demonstrate how they have become global citizens with the competence to see and the courage to act. Their faith makes them generous, spirited, and responsive to the needs of their communities.

In this issue, you will read about a student and alumna both battling the pandemic by helping those in need along with ways our faculty rose to the challenge of virtual learning to create unique growth opportunities for students. Discover one alumna’s journey of a kidney donation to a stranger, and how another alumna is using her education to work with female inmates to be a part of improving their treatment in jails and prisons. Relive the excitement of the men’s basketball teams’ journey to the championship with a speech from the championship ring ceremony by class of 2014 alum Pat Derksen. Readers will learn how our Moreau Center Initiative (MCI) students were part of an interdisciplinary course that examined how society has confronted pandemics in the past with the course “The World in Pandemic.”

Although the pandemic altered our Welcome Weekend festivities and commencement for the class of 2020, we were able to participate in the long-standing tradition of the Thanksgiving Food Basket drive. New this year was the Presidential Challenge that invited the Holy Cross College community to donate $2 to sponsor a Thanksgiving meal at the Center for the Homeless. Each dollar donated was matched and in the end my challenge far exceeded my goal of providing 250 meals – we were able to provide 1500 meals!

I hope you enjoy this edition of Connections! Thank you for your support. We need it to continue on our bold, determined future. Be assured of my prayers for all of our alumni, parents, and benefactors who support our distinctive and transformative mission. Know that you are all in my daily thoughts and prayers during this diffi cult time.

May the Incarnate God grant you peace, health, and blessings.

Crux Ave, Spes Unica!

With gratitude,

(Rev.) David T. Tyson, C.S.C.

Connections, Holy Cross College’s offi cial magazine, is published twice yearly.

EDITOR Lisa Kochanowski

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Debra Handel, Handel Design

PHOTOGRAPHERS / PHOTO COURTESIES

Timothy Cleaver Slade Gorski ‘19 Marijka Lynch-Pastoor ‘21 Peter Ringenberg CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dillon Begley ‘21 Tyler Braidic Pat Derksen ‘14 Slade Gorski ‘19 Val Hajec ‘12 Lisa Kochanowski Justin McDevitt Jordan Schank Stephanie White

POSTMASTER:

PLEASE SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: COLLEGE RELATIONS Holy Cross College P.O. Box 308 | Notre Dame, IN | 46556

Copyright 2020

Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission. The opinions expressed are those of the authors or their subjects and are not necessarily shared by the College or editor.

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