Connections Holy Cross College Alumni & Friends
WINTER 2020
SCHOLAR A FONT OF WISDOM
Dear Friends, Since the last issue of Connections, we have welcomed the largest incoming class of my presidency. We have begun to know the stories and to witness all the good these young men and women bring to our community here at Holy Cross College. Mentoring these new students as they develop as scholars, citizens, leaders, and disciples is a wonderful privilege, one through which we enthusiastically strive to instill the distinctive mission of the College in their lives.
WINTER 2020 Connections, Holy Cross College’s official magazine, is published twice yearly. E D I TO R JudeAnne Wilson Hastings GRAPHIC DESIGNER Debra Handel, Handel Design P H OTO G R A P H E R S / P H OTO CO U R T E S I E S
CO N T R I B U T I N G WRITERS
Tyler Braidic Matt Cashore Slade Gorski ‘19 Rylee Horn ‘20 Marijka Lynch-Pastoor ‘21, TJ Mannen Peter Ringenberg
Tyler Braidic Lucy Campos ‘21 Pia de Solenni Lisa Kochanowski Monica Garvey Leyes Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0 Anthony Monta, Ph.D.
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.
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The focus of this issue of Connections explores the identity of the “scholar.” It is our task to introduce our students to the exciting discoveries and possibilities that accrue to the activities of a scholar. As young budding scholars, they begin to experience the growth afforded them in the classroom and the lab; through the mentorship of our faculty; engaging and living with the community of their fellow students; and developing friendships with their classmates. Holy Cross students complement their “in house” scholarly activity on the local, national, and global stage through service-learning experiences with peers and mentors. They hone their skills for the future with internships. All of this leads to their Capstone experience where, as graduating students, they make public presentations of the pathways of learning that led them to a certain integration of that learning. It is in that integration they become a true scholar! The life of a Holy Cross student-scholar is lived in the context of a Faith community that recognizes the truth of the Gospel. It is this context that provides sacred time and sacred space to encounter a relationship with God and the Christ, our Savior. It is this context that provides an ecclesial family that nurtures the profound meaning of a Eucharistic community of Faith. It is this context that allows confreres of other faith traditions to join us in becoming student-scholars on a common quest to know the One, True, God. 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. May the Incarnate God grant you peace, health, and blessings during this New Year. Crux Ave, Spes Unica!
The opinions expressed are those of the authors or their subjects and are not necessarily shared by the College or editor.
With gratitude,
SEND YOUR UPDATES TO: COLLEGE RELATIONS Holy Cross College | PO Box 308 | Notre Dame, IN 46556 Email: collegerelations@hcc-nd.edu Webform: Collegerelations.hcc-nd.edu/class-notes
(Rev.) David T. Tyson, C.S.C.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
FEATURES
4-5 Welcome Class of 2023
42-45
Seat of Wisdom by Daniel Baker ‘20 My path has had two constants— a desire to work with my hands and a love of learning. Holy Cross helped me find my way.
by Monica Garvey Leyes Students enter the classroom from day one and graduate with nearly 700 hours of experience. Graduates are also prepared to engage with diverse populations through special program opportunities.
50-51 Stepping on Stage by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0 English students stepped out of the classroom and onto the stage with direction from David Rubin, a professional Shakespearean actor.
6 Admission Updates 12 Faculty Updates 16 The New Face of Campus Ministry 20 Fulbright Program 26 Fall Updates 28 Fall Athletics 30 Alumni Class Notes 32 The Dunne Duo: Nichole ’09 and Jay ’07
Certainly Saints
TABLE OF CONTENTS
8-11
36 Development Updates 38 Career Development
46 Liberated Minds
22-24
Women in the Body of Christ by Pia de Solenni, Ph.D. The more we do now to further our understanding of the role of women in the Body of Christ could have an impact for many in years to come.
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WELCOME CLASS OF 2023
The class of 2023 were welcomed to the Holy Cross family earlier this year over the course of Welcome Weekend. After a day of unpacking, registration, orientation, meetings with chairs, and a town hall discussion with Father David Tyson, C.S.C., first year students gathered beyond the Millennium Arch before being called forth to process through the arch as their names were called by Senior Vice President Michael Griffin. Students were greeted by administrators and received a medal, blessed by Father Tyson and engraved with the College’s cross and anchors.
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That evening, Father Tyson celebrated Mass in the St. Joseph Chapel for the first year class, their siblings, and parents. After, faculty and administrators shared a “Dinner with the Saints” and their parents. Alumni Patrick Dersken ‘14 spoke to the crowd about his experience at Holy Cross and shared his advice about embracing all that awaited them over the next four years. Parents and students said their goodbyes, and after the long stream of cars, now emptied of mini fridges, bedding, and bicycles left the campus, the class of 2023 gathered around a bonfire on the quad. Welcome Week ended with the College’s “HoCro Nation” party one week later! O’Connor Commons was alive not only with first year students, but the entire student body, faculty and staff. Food trucks, inflatable bounce houses and games dotted the green. At dusk, the community gathered at the Millennium Arch once again to take in a firework display that could be seen for miles.
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ADMISSIONS
CLASS OF 2023
BY THE NUMBERS
200
24% First Generation College Students
90% Live on Campus
TOTAL STUDENTS
SCORES
25
States Represented
58% Male
42% Female
1070-1430 MID-50 SAT
125
AVERAGE SAT SCORE
70% Identify as Catholic
34%
Are Students of Color
82%
Receive Some Form of Financial Assistance
$2.1 MILLION $24,655
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Awarded in Merit and Need-Based Scholarships Average Financial Aid Package, Not Including Loans
24% Received a Pell Grant
ADMISSIONS
Q&A Catherine Ficker ’13 by Lisa Kochanowski
interactive role where I can engage with people and serve them by making daunting tasks more manageable. It was the Holy Cross mission and the chance to interact with a lot of people in a service-focused role that led me to consider the position. As a member of the Enrollment Team, I hope to help enroll students who are prepared to answer the call of becoming serious scholars, global citizens, innovative leaders, and spirited disciples for the common good.
What is your position and Holy Cross College and what are some duties in your position? I am proud to be an Admissions Counselor on the Holy Cross College (HC) Enrollment Team. My job entails going out to my assigned territory and inviting students to consider joining our HC community. In the fall and spring, I travel to high schools and college fairs where I meet with prospective students and guidance staff to share with them about the life-enriching opportunities we offer at HC. As interested students apply, I read and assess their applications and assist accepted applicants through the admissions process. It’s fun to work alongside my terrific colleagues in Admissions to bring in an excellent new class of HC Saints!
What attracted you to this field and what do you hope to accomplish in your role? Two important factors led me to consider this position: 1) I am someone who needs to be 100% behind the mission and vision of the organization I work for and 2) I do best in an
As an alumna of Holy Cross College, what are some key lessons you learned as a student that has prepared you for this position? As a student here, I learned to balance my academic work, social life, spiritual life, and a part-time job. Time management skills cultivated at HC have been invaluable in my professional life. I would also say that the required public speaking in the classroom setting prepared me to present in front of groups and share about HC. While they had me sweating and turned my stomach in knots at the time, I am now grateful for the classes that required presentations and speeches. I now feel rather comfortable sharing about HC in front of just about any group!
How does being an alumna help you in your position? As an alumna, I can share from my first-hand experience of our strong liberal arts curriculum, small classes, terrific faculty and staff, and warm familial HC community. I can attest to our unique collegiate community in which students are personally known.
What are a few changes you have noticed at Holy Cross from your time as a student to your time working here now? I graduated in 2013 and returning to campus in 2019 I have noticed numerous improvements. There have been physical renovations that have made significant aesthetic improvements on campus, the Max has been transformed with Ave Brew Café and Driscoll Lounge is much more pleasant. I love seeing student artwork displayed in the hallways and especially the rotating art exhibit in the Driscoll Lounge. In addition to indoor changes, the quad is much more established and the swinging benches provide a pleasant space for community members to enjoy. The dining hall food is notably better; to put it simply—all things food are notably better. And, while this is a difficult thing to quantify, I would say that the mission and vision of Holy Cross College is more strongly embraced as a whole. It seems to me our community of learners is more cheerful and more invested in learning. Under the leadership of Fr. Tyson and Dr. Griffin, I feel HC is more of a unified community committed to the mission and vision of the college.
What makes Holy Cross College a place of lifelong learning for you? I would say our small, close-knit, friendly community provides regular opportunities to connect with students, faculty and staff throughout the day. These connections open the door for conversation and learning. The faculty are especially generous in continuing the academic conversation outside of the classroom and I appreciate that! HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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EDUCATION
Maria Dunn ‘22 reviews quizzes with instructor Lucas Long.
Educating Minds, Forming Leaders how one small department is making big strides in education by Monica Garvey Leyes Holy Cross College’s Teacher Education Program has been making strides in preparing students to become teachers in public, private, and parochial schools over the past semester. Under the leadership of Felicia Reid-Metoyer, the department’s
new chair, students interested in educating children are immersed in the field from day one, gaining valuable hands-on experience, lesson planning and leadership skills in local classrooms. Students in the program work with young learners and
experienced instructors and learn the ropes of engaging students from kindergarten through grade six. Even those students who choose to minor in education, such as Maria Dunn ‘22, recognize the advantages of the program.
“One of our main goals is to develop content-knowledgeable, equity-minded, reflective practitioners that seek to serve in the image of Christ the teacher.” — Felicia Reid-Metoyer, Department Chair
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EDUCATION Maria Dunn ‘22 hands out quizzes in Lucas Long’s fifth grade classroom. Maria, who is a junior, along with several other Holy Cross students, have been spending their Friday mornings at Madison STEAM Academy, just down the road from campus. There, they observe classes that range from kindergarten through third grade, sometimes swapping places to shadow with instructors and observe different classroom atmospheres. New as a full-time faculty member is Annette Romans, who had instructed the Language Acquisition Course at Holy Cross in previous years. Beyond serving as an instructor of education, Romans oversees and directs the College’s English as a New Language (ENL) program. Through the course of study, graduates receive an education license in addition to the ENL certification. These certifications set the Saints ahead of the game in terms of their job searches and classroom placements. Those who have received their education degrees graduate with nearly 700 hours of classroom experience behind them. Beyond the confidence gained by heading a classroom, graduates are prepared to foster a diverse population of young learners. They have networked and often secured jobs even before graduation due to their extensive classroom observation, student teaching, and internships in the area. Reid-Metoyer and Romans form a team that has truly brought about meaningful change--to not only their students at Holy Cross, but to elementary students throughout the city and district. In addition to Madison STEAM Academy, students teach and shadow at Romans’ beloved Saint Adalbert Catholic School on the city’s west side, where she worked as an ENL teacher for seven years. Romans earned her own ENL certification from the College after earning her Master of Education through Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame. In little over one swift semester, she has helped strengthen the natural partnership between all three places of Catholic education.
“Felicia has taken me under her wing and helped me in feeling supported. She has opened doors that I thought were impossible to open. With her leadership, I’ve been able to see the everyday life of students and get a feel for what my future as a teacher looks like.” – Maria Dunn ‘22
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EDUCATION
Students at Madison STEAM academy share a smile as they wait for their student teacher to arrive.
(continued from previous page.)
Madison STEAM Academy
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Isabella Parrish ‘22 shadows Jan Henderson’s first grade class at Madison STEAM Academy.
Another collaboration was with the American Indian Catholic Schools Network (AICSN) Fellows Program. This past July, a small cohort of teachers from American Indian Reservation Schools came to campus to launch the new Non-traditional Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program. Through a partnership with ACE at the University of Notre Dame, the AICSN program provides Catholic education while honoring the cultural identity of students.
EDUCATION Dr. Eileen Dial, professor emerita, poses with the first cohort of the AICSN students this past summer.
Romans and professor emerita Eileen Dial worked with the small group to begin them on their journey of earning their degrees through the three-year program and earn their Indiana teacher’s license. “The three-year rotation allows these practicing teachers to attain the professional training and licensure that will support their work in under-resourced reservation schools,” she said. Students benefiting from these teachers’ training and certifications are representative of the Acoma, Blackfeet, Laguna, Lakota, Navajo, Ojibwe, Omaha, San Carlos Apache, and Winnebago Indian Tribes. “These dedicated teachers make great sacrifices to juggle the vital work they are doing in the classroom with the challenge of year-long coursework,” she added. “I have been honored to work with such amazing professionals dedicated to their communities and their vocation.”
In addition to such partnerships, the Education Department has committed itself to providing “preparation pathways” that promote the development of educators in today’s classrooms. By taking the initiative to join an Indiana Department of Education Cadre of educators from around the state with the goal of developing alternative pathways to teacher licensure, Reid-Metoyer and Romans are broadening the horizons for those who are called to teach, working to support and recruit a more diverse educator workforce in the face of today’s teacher shortage. Metoyer’s department has also developed a “Transition-to-Teaching” program, working on a proposal to partner with local schools to develop a dual-credit program for high school juniors and seniors looking to explore education coursework. Currently, Holy Cross College supports a total of four pathways to educator licensing in elementary education, as well as a professional program for practicing teachers to earn their English Learner Certification. “It is clear to me, in the short time I have been working at Holy Cross College, that the Education Department is committed to supporting the formation and professional development of teachers in and for our local community, our region, and even distant communities,” noted Reid-Metoyer recently.
Although theirs is one of the smaller programs offered by the College, it stands apart in its scope. ReidMetoyer and Romans are truly making strides in enriching our scholars and preparing them for fulfilling and meaningful careers that will change the world of education, one student at a time.
IN MEMORIAM A member of AICSN inaugural cohort, William Christopher Berne, 32, of Blackduck, Minnesota, died of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in rural Blackduck on September 24, 2019. Christopher was a teacher at Saint Mary’s Mission School in Red Lake, Minnesota. The Holy Cross College community mourns the loss of this young leader who will be remembered by our community for his dedication and leadership. Mass was offered in his memory in the St. Joseph Chapel.
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FA C U LT Y U P D AT E S The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science welcome two new members Deborah C. Arangno, Ph.D. joins the mathematics and computer science department at Holy Cross College. She received her master’s degree from Emory University and her doctoral degree from Utah State University. She has taught at Lenoir-Rhyne University; the University of Maryland University College, European Division; International College Beijing— University of Colorado Denver; the U.S. Air Force Academy; and Regis University. She received a fellowship and was a member of the Eric Roberts Initiative in Computer Science Education at Stanford University in 2016. “I am committed to the idea that Holy Cross deserves to have a strong mathematics program so that we can be competitive and attract a wide range of students. To that end, working with the natural sciences and mathematics faculty, I am helping to develop a mathematics minor, and eventually I hope we will have a flourishing math major. I am also formulating other proposals which will help to strengthen and grow the math program such as starting a chapter of the American Mathematical Society, encouraging participation in the Math Club (with Math Game Night, and Math Olympiad-type tournaments, and tutoring in the
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community), and getting students involved in math research and attending conferences.” “At the same time, since computer science is a discipline in great demand, I have formulated proposals to establish a computer science program here at Holy Cross,” noted Arangno We also welcome Dennis Vandenberg, who has taught mathematics at Holy Cross College for the past four years as an adjunct instructor, holds two master’s degrees—one in systems technology from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and another in applied mathematics from Indiana University. Vandenberg served previously as a cryptologic naval officer and has taught finite mathematics, statistics, calculus and algebra at Indiana University South Bend, Saint Mary’s College, Purdue Polytechnic South Bend, and Southwestern Michigan College.
Angelo Ray Martínez begins tenure-track at Holy Cross College A nationwide search brought Assistant Professor and Chair of the Creative Arts Department Angelo Ray Martínez, Ph.D. to begin the role of a
tenure-track faculty member at Holy Cross College. He began teaching at the college in the spring of 2017 and holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Professor Martínez has also instructed art courses for Indiana University South Bend and Illinois State University. “I love Holy Cross College and my role here, so I would like to continue growing professionally with the college,” noted Martínez. “ I plan on continue strengthening the visual arts program and supporting our students in developing successful careers in the arts.” Professor Martínez curates the Saint Joseph Gallery on campus, rotating current works by the College’s students, faculty, and other guest artists.
The Department of English has two full-time faculty members. Anthony Monta, Ph.D. joins Holy Cross College as a full-time faculty member in the English department. He worked for the Nanovic Institute for European Studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, serving as assistant director from 2007 to 2011 and as the associate director thereafter. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in English literature
FA C U LT Y U P D AT E S from the University of WisconsinMadison. Before moving to the Midwest, he taught English literature and composition at Louisiana State University. He also worked in the Division of Academic Affairs for the State of Louisiana Board of Regents. We also welcome Christopher R.J. Scheirer, who earned a master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame, both in Medieval studies. Before moving to Indiana, he earned a master of arts in English from North Carolina State University.
Natural Sciences receives a new instructor Zhutian Zhang joined the department of natural sciences. She received her Master of Science in chemistry from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she is a Ph.D. candidate in computational and organic chemistry. She has been an adjunct instructor at Holy Cross since 2017.
New instructor added to the Teacher Education Program
Adjunct Instructor in Theology presents paper at conference
Annette Romans joins Holy Cross College as a fulltime instructor of elementary education in the Teacher Education Program. Romans earned her Master of Education through the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame and completed her English as a New Language (ENL) certification at Holy Cross College.
Andrew L. Ouellette, Director of Campus Ministry and Adjunct Instructor in Theology, had the opportunity to present his paper “Signs and Symbols of the Supernatural World – Walker Percy’s Semiotic and His Sacramental World View” at the South Atlantic Modern Language Association (SAMLA) Conference.
She has worked for the past seven years at St. Adalbert Catholic School as a resource and ENL teacher. During her career, has served as an adjunct instructor at Holy Cross, teaching the Language Acquisition course, and is a two-time recipient of the Light of Learning Award from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. She received the Maureen T. Hallinan Award for Excellence in Catholic Education from the University of Notre Dame.
“It was a paper on Walker Percy’s philosophy of language and symbols and it’s influence in the sacramental images of his novels,” said Ouellette. The conference was held in Atlanta, Georgia, November 15-17, 2019. According to their website, SAMLA is an organization of teachers, scholars, and students dedicated to the advancement of literary and linguistic scholarship and teaching in the modern languages. It started as a regional organization that now extends throughout the southeastern United States, across the country, and around the world. SAMLA’s largest event is its annual conference. Comprised of an extensive list of panels, events, and distinguished speakers, each conference continues to draw people from throughout the region and, increasingly, the world.
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FA C U LT Y U P D AT E S (continued from previous page.)
Holy Cross Psychology Professor part of glucose study Cosette Fox, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, was a co-author of “The effect of glucose and emotional arousal on memory in young adults,” in the “Pedagogical Contexts Journal.” Throughout her time as a graduate student, Fox studied the affects of glucose on the memory and how it works. Her interest is neuroscience and she was interested in how proteins in the brain bring sugar molecules to cells for memory. “How what we ingest affects our thinking and behavior,” she noted. And stressed the importance of sugars from fruits, dairy and vegetables on the memory found in her research. The study also found memories with emotion, such as trauma induced or from a difficult life situation, are better recalled because they are emotionally charged. It did not find that glucose helps retain emotional memory. This paper was written while Fox was working at another institution. With the assistance of Holy Cross students, a research project has been conducted on campus with the hopes of publication of the results in the near future.
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Director of Moreau College Initiative contributes to “Pedagogy of Vulnerability” Alesha Seroczynski, Ph.D., Director of the Moreau College Initiative, was a contributor to “Becoming Vulnerable with the Vulnerable: A Pedagogy of Hope for Incarcerated Students of the Liberal Arts” in the book “Pedagogy of Vulnerability.” According to co-author Maria McKenna, Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame, “our goal with the book was to provide a vision for higher education embracing the heart and mind, emotion and reason. Our contributors shared the heart of their teaching and supported their pedagogical visions with theory and practice. We hope the collection inspires other educators to reflect on their own practice in novel ways and supports a more inclusive vision for higher education.”
History professor combines his love of the subject to a creative outlet Thomas Spencer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, finds research and writing a creative outlet that is both professionally and personally rewarding. His recent published
pieces include the book review “Roosevelt’s Company Man: The Political Career of J. Bruce Kremer,” in “Montana: The Magazine of Western History” about the book “Frank and Al: FDR, Al Smith and the Unlikely Alliance that Created the Modern Democratic Party” by Terry Golway and “One of Tom’s Guardian Angels:” review of “Called to Serve: the Untold Story of Father Irenaeus Herscher, OFM,” that appeared in The Merton Seasonal: A Quarterly Review. “My interest in the political history of the New Deal era stemmed from the influence of my mentor and adviser when in graduate school at Notre Dame, Rev. Thomas Blantz, CSC. Fr. Blantz was an inspiration to me as a scholar and teacher and much of what I have pursued in my research as well as what I do in the classroom stems from his influence early on my graduate career. I enjoy people and most of my research and writing involves people as opposed to policies or events. I am a believer in the adage that “ all history is human history.” So much of my research and publication has involved people, their political careers, contributions, etc.,” noted Spencer. Spencer hopes that readers get an appreciation of history—how we can learn much about ourselves and the present by studying the past.
Department Chair of Creative Arts shares creativity with the community Angelo Ray Martinez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Department Chair Creative Arts, brought his creativity out of the classroom and put it on display through exhibitions and publications. His exhibitions included: “Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art,” at the Akron Art Museum, Akron, Ohio; “Water Shapes” at Spark Lab - Fed Galleries, Kendall College of Art and Design at Ferris State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan; “While Supplies Last” at the Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, Washington; “ GIFC / Velvet Ropes” in the Nevven Gallery, Gothenburg, Sweden; “GIFC / Velvet Ropes” in the Galleri Golsa @ Dora Sjøsiden, Trondheim, Norway; the Holy Cross College faculty/staff exhibition in the Saint Joseph Gallery at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana; and “You Are Standing on a Prehistoric Ocean” at the Sandusky Cultural Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
FA C U LT Y U P D AT E S
He was personally invited by the curator of each exhibition that he took part in last year. “I expect most viewers to engage with my work in a variety of different ways, depending on their own lived experience. Some may experience the imagery with a sense of nostalgia, while others interpret the images as foreign or distant. However, my intention is to create a visual experience that questions the mode in which video games represent the nuances of ‘real life’ through the digital platform of simulated experience,” noted Martinez.
Martinez exhibit: “Open World: Video Games and Contemporary Art” at the Akron Art Museum, Akron, Ohio
His publication work in 2019 included his work being featured in the book “Open World: Video games and Contemporary Art,” “Open World: Akron Art Museum Explores the Influence on Video games on Contemporary Art” in Juxtapoz Magazine and “Video Games” in Art In America. “Within my paintings, I combine a playful variety of images, exploring the construction of personal and cultural identities. 8-bit video game graphics, tattoos, and items of clothing are some of the elements that I utilize to explore themes of appropriation, assimilation, and hybridity. My work questions the role of reproducible objects and images in the construction of self-identification while highlighting the increasing fluidity of identity in the post-internet age,” said Martinez. “I am inspired by other artists that explore the effect that digital technology has on ‘real-life,’ non-digital, experiences. I am intrigued by the ways in which simulated, virtual, and digital, interactions reflect ‘real-life’ experiences, but also affect the ‘real-world,’ altering our perception of the world around us. Visually, I am drawn to contradictory images that merge flat, graphic imagery, such as early video games and traditional tattoos, with more traditional forms of representation,” he continued. HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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H O LY C R O S S C A M P U S M I N I S T R Y
ANDREW OUELLETTE
The New Face of Campus Ministry by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0 No matter the time of day, an aura of warmth, laughter, and joy seeps out from the open door of Andrew Ouellette’s office. Students of all ages and backgrounds lounge on the sofas and beanbags while Ouellette fosters conversation about Christ, relationships, and life. Connections with the Catholic faith and with each other are continually being established, thanks to Ouellette’s friendliness and energy. “From the moment I met him at the interview process, I saw that Andrew Ouellette exudes personalism. He has a strong theological and ministerial foundation, but what really stands out about him is his warmth, openness, and attention to people,” said Senior Vice President Michael Griffin. By leading Campus ministry, teaching his Theology 240 class, and implementing an open-door policy that welcomes all into his office, Ouellette has already made a huge impact on this campus during his first few months at Holy Cross. Valuing the small size of Holy Cross College, Ouellette believes that having established friendships with his students and peers will allow for his most effective work. “As young people, we want to know that someone values us. We are more likely to open up about our faith life and relationship with God if the other person genuinely wants to be a friend,” Ouellette shared. Upon converting to the Catholic faith at age sixteen, Ouellette has had a passion for ministry, theology, and mentoring others. Before taking the position as Holy Cross College Campus Minister this summer, he studied philosophy and theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, worked for the diocese of Fort Wayne
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H O LY C R O S S C A M P U S M I N I S T R Y that Campus Ministry will continue to
Adoration and confession. Apart
flourish for years to come,” said
from Tuesday nights, the groups
Napierkowski.
have one social and one prayer
Ouellette has added a few new programs and revamped existing ones. With a focus on mixing social aspects with religion, Holy Cross College now South Bend as the director of the
offers Theology on Tap twice a month
office of youth ministry, married his
at O’Rourke’s. Attracting an average of
wife in 2017, and worked in student
forty students from Holy Cross, Saint
life at Franciscan University of
Mary’s, and Notre Dame, this event
Steubenville, where he obtained a
invites guest speakers from the South
master’s in Theology.
Bend community to discuss faith,
Since Ouellette arrived at campus July 1, 2019, he has made it his mission
while the group enjoys food and drinks.
commitment throughout the course of the week. For example, the women have had many fun meals (including a taco dinner), and the men have all travelled to Moreau Seminary to attend the Lucernarium prayer service together. “Overall, the Emmaus group has been greatly nourishing for me. When you have a group of men committed to understanding Scripture, to striving towards virtue, and to growing with one another, it’s difficult not to see some sort of
to distinguish Campus Ministry from
“Most of the time that I hang out
spiritual blossoming. And on a social
other extracurriculars in student life.
with all my friends is when we go to
level, it’s simply a good time. We
He sees Campus Ministry as an aspect
Theology on Tap or going to Mass and
laugh, we converse, we enjoy the
that defines this passionate and
hanging out afterwards, like at the
camaraderie,” senior David
distinctly Catholic institution. “I would
ice-cream social. This is the main thing
Napierkowski added.
like to see Holy Cross College become
we do together, and the Campus
more of a place that breaths Christ in
Ministry office is where we spend
everything it does – in its academics,
most of our time,” freshman Brittany
sports, administrative life, and student
Alvarez said. Additionally, updating
life,” Andrew Ouellette shared. “In
the existing larger “Mission Teams,”
terms of a five-year goal, I just want to
Ouellette now offers small group
see more intentional missionary
formation through “Emmaus Groups.”
disciples of Jesus Christ who are
Ouellette also aims to introduce faith to the faculty and staff. Every first Friday, Holy Cross holds a Mass and lunch that welcomes administrators, instructors, and students. Ouellette also designed an Emmaus Group specifically for teachers and staff. The
“This year, the smaller groups are
community has really embraced these
mostly student-run, so it has been
gatherings. For instance, this past fall
more self-reflective and personal. Also,
semester, one of the staff members
the groups are very welcoming, so you
was diagnosed with cancer; instructors,
don’t have to be Catholic to
and students. Ouellette also designed
participate,” junior Kara Tarala said.
an Emmaus Group specifically for
With about a dozen people per group,
teachers and staff. The community has
“Andrew Ouellette has prudent
these teams meet on Tuesday nights
really embraced these gatherings. For
ambition. He has a great vision for
to read and discuss the upcoming
instance, this past fall semester, one
Campus Ministry and he’s working his
Sunday scripture readings. This time
of the staff members was diagnosed
tail off to attain that vision. He doesn’t
allows students to fully grasp the
with cancer; in response, Ouelette
navigate these dreams with a total
readings before arriving to Mass on
organized a holy hour where faculty
unbridled sense of optimism though.
Sunday night. In addition to the scrip-
could come and pray together for their
He is realistically ambitious. It’s
ture, the groups save time for prayer
colleague and their family.
because of this that I’d be willing to bet
intentions before transitioning into
following the Lord and gospel, going to Mass and confession, taking the Christian life seriously, and sharing Christ with other people.” His ambition has already started inspiring students like senior David Napierkowski.
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H O LY C R O S S C A M P U S M I N I S T R Y ANDREW OUELLETTE
The New Face of Campus Ministry (continued from previous page.) Along with a new presence in Campus
Ouellette had banners made that display
Ministry, Schola Cantorum Sanctae Crucis,
twentieth century saints who were also
the College’s liturgical choir has benefitted
young athletes for the Pfeil Center lobby. In
from the addition of new Director of
addition, the departments worked together
Liturgical Music, Jerome Cole. With new
to introduce a “Student Athlete
microphones and an updated sound system,
Commissioning Mass” for all players and
the choir can now be heard and enjoyed by
coaches. At this ceremony, the players were
everyone attending Mass. The College has
given holy cards, wooden crosses from
also seen an increase in choir participation.
Bethlehem, and a blessing. Ouellette hopes
“There is a core group of students already
that this will be an annual tradition.
here who were very passionate about singing. I think that they attracted a few new
At the beginning of the basketball season,
members because of their excitement,” Cole
the team attended a retreat led by Br. James
said. This passion appealed to freshman
“Jimmy” Henke, C.S.C., their team’s chaplain.
Gabe Gelke. “In high school, I sang in chorus
Here, they discussed how Christianity
and liturgical choir. So, coming to Holy Cross
affected their choice to be basketball players
I knew I wanted to continue that. This is
at Holy Cross, and the role that religion
definitely an opportunity to use my talents
should play in forming their team
to praise God,” Gelke said.
identity. “What came out of this retreat was
Above all, Cole admires the community that the choir brings and the very positive and music loving students that it attracts. “Campus Ministry is partly about helping people encounter Christ; the liturgy is the central way that we bring people to Christ. Our choir helps build community around the
to rely on and support each other, not only because it will help us succeed as a team, but because it’s our duty as Christians as well,” freshman Packy Murdock continued, “As a result, it’s clear on the court that guys are playing for each other, not themselves.
liturgy,” Cole said.
Instead of chasing stats and other
Furthermore, Senior Vice President Michael
of the team are doing everything they can to
Griffin imagines Campus Ministry seeping
support each other and produce a win day in
into all aspect of Holy Cross College under
and day out.”
Ouellette’s leadership. To start this initiative, basketball coach Mike McBride and Andrew Ouellette established a partnership between athletics and ministry. Recognizing that athletics attract a diverse group of people in terms of faith, Ouellette wanted to introduce Christian values to all of the players. This way,
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the theme of brotherhood and that we need
individual achievements, all fifteen members
Above all, Ouellette hopes that all students will take advantage of their time at Holy Cross because he believes that college serves as the best time to grow in one’s faith. His advice?
Holy Cross athletes will live and compete
“Don’t let these four years pass by without
virtuously while reflecting Christ.
taking a step in your relationship with Jesus
Reminding students of this partnership,
Christ.”
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FA C U LT Y P R O F I L E
Forming Scholars Dr. Dianne Barlas by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0
Journey to Holy Cross College
to the core curriculum, every Holy Cross
Dr. Dianne Barlas just entered into her
student takes two courses that introduce
fifteenth year at Holy Cross College as Associate Professor of Theology and Director
that global matters aren’t isolated, but rather
College, Barlas worked as a Labor and
influence every aspect of life. In order to be an
Delivery Nurse after gaining her degree
informed citizen and participate in the Holy
from Purdue University.
Cross College community, our country, and
herself discussing religion, discernment, and life with her fellow nurses. Through this, she
Holy Cross offers opportunity to travel and engagement at the global level.
work to encourage students to understand
of Global Perspectives. Prior to Holy Cross
While working the night shifts, she found
Embedded in our core curriculum are two classes that engage students at the global level.
specific international concerns. These classes
recognized that God was calling her to do something outside of nursing, so she applied for the Master of Divinity at Notre Dame and
beyond, students must think globally in order to enhance their local settings. “Because of our access through technology, we can gain a lot of knowledge about what is going on in the world. But these classes push
went on to gain her Doctorate of Ministry at
students to move to a level of empathy,
Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
inspiring them to do something,” Barlas
Knowing that she enjoyed sharing her faith
shared.
with others, she began her impactful career as
Furthermore, Barlas manages the Global
a teacher at this distinctly Catholic college,
Engagement International summer trips
exploring with students the role of the
to Peru, India, and Uganda. These journeys
Catholic Church in recognizing the presence
expose student to various cultures and plant
of God in their lives and in the world. “I now
new perspectives that influences future
create courses that stem from my interests
decisions and careers. Barlas believes that
and fit what the college needs in their
having this widened mindset is essential in
curriculum,” Barlas said.
our globalized world.
Exploring Beyond the Classroom
“Unless you travel outside the western hemisphere, you can never really understand
At Holy Cross College, Barlas teaches upper
that the rest of world does not live like us in
level theology classes and develops courses
America. You begin to appreciate your
that highlight global issues through a Catholic
education, family, freedom, and what living in
Social Teaching lens. Thanks to Barlas’ addition
a free democracy makes possible,” said Barlas.
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Fulbright Program Fostering Life-Long Scholarship
Holy Cross College encourages their students to look beyond the classroom and turn their sights globally, toward the vast opportunities that the world has to offer after graduation. The revitalized Fulbright Program, now run by Associate Professor of Business Dr. Michael Hartmann, gives students the chance to do so1. By exposing students to this opportunity, Father David Tyson, C.S.C. hopes to produce a Holy Cross Fulbright Scholar during his tenure as President. By fostering and encouraging life-long scholarship, the Fulbright highlights the Scholar Pillar of Holy Cross. Father Tyson can attest to this through his previous involvement with the program during his time as President of the University of Portland. He witnessed the transformative influence of the program and hopes to translate its success to Holy Cross College. “Holy Cross is at a stage of its development that it can look out further and stretch itself academically. Additionally, having a Fulbright scholar and program offers our institution visibility and credibility,” Father Tyson stated. “The Fulbright aligns with Holy Cross’ mission for globalization and academics; so, to not offer the Fulbright program would not only be to miss an opportunity, it would be shortsighted of us.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: History Professor Dr. Angel Cortez previously aided prospective Holy Cross students who expressed interest in the Fulbright program. In the past, one Holy Cross student applied, but did not get offered a spot. 1
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
The Fulbright program consists of two different year-long, fully funded opportunities for US citizens who have completed their bachelor’s degree: teach English to students abroad or conduct research in a foreign country. Both of these options urge students to act as a United States ambassador during their time abroad. In addition, the Fulbright program attracts foreign researchers and scholars to the United States by offering opportunities to research and experience a culture different from their own. Father Tyson selected Dr. Hartmann for the position of Fulbright Program Advisor due to his international background. During his fifteen years of living and teaching in Germany, Hartmann spent time investigating the Fulbright Program on behalf of his university. He plans to utilize this information and his personal foreign experience to influence, inspire, and aid Holy Cross students who are looking to apply and ultimately act as an American ambassador of culture after they graduate. By attending a training session hosted by Wayne State University, Hartmann now possesses the knowledge to help students and faculty with the extensive application process. Although students do not hear back about their spot in the program until the end of their senior year, the Fulbright requires students to start expressing interest by April of their junior year. This way, students have time to gather all the right materials before the final application is due in October (of the student’s senior year). Between April and October, Hartmann will help students put together compelling applications and concise resumes. Because of the small size of Holy Cross, Hartmann will have time to seek out, get to know, mentor, and develop strong and competitive Holy Cross applicants. To ignite the process and inform students and faculty of this opportunity, Hartmann plans to set up a Moodle page for students with easy access to information by this upcoming Spring Semester. Furthermore, he hopes to create a system to identify potential Fulbright candidates. In addition to producing a Holy Cross Fulbright scholar who would travel abroad, Hartmann seeks to invite an international visiting professor to the College for an academic year to teach Holy Cross students or to host a researching foreign scholar. This would add a new layer of culture to the campus. Both Hartmann and Father Tyson stress the importance of starting early in developing a successful application package. From diving deep into a foreign language to participating in the Global Learning trips to Peru, Uganda, and India, students should take advantage of the opportunities that Holy Cross has to offer and demonstrate a worldly mindset during their time in school. “A successful applicant would be a tangible sign that we are fulfilling our mission to produce global citizens in the intellectual tradition of Holy Cross,” Hartmann concluded.
“By generating interest in the Fulbright Program at Holy Cross College and by producing successful applicants, the College hopes to enhance the global and intellectual focus of Holy Cross students and faculty.” — Dr. Michael Hartmann, Associate Professor of Business, Holy Cross College
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W O M E N I N T H E B O DY O F C H R I S T
Pia de Solenni, Ph.D., is a moral theologian and cultural analyst. She most recently served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Orange and Theological Advisor to the Bishop. She delivered this lecture in the Pfeil Center’s McKenna Arena on Holy Cross College’s campus last October.
Women in the Body of Christ Mother Teresa, during the Synod for
a lack of love, or where love has been
as his body, indicating a profound
Women Religious in 1994, took the
abused.
unity and a deep love for every
microphone in the middle of a long debate about women having more power in the Church. She noted that the context was all wrong. And, in her classic straightforward abrupt manner, admonished her fellow women religious that they needed to stop
human person.
back to the condition of our first
Certainly, there are innumerable ways
parents, Adam and Eve. They were
in which humans treat each other
given and promised love. Instead, they
terribly, abusively. But we don’t have
chose power. As a result, they lost love
the means to address those unless we
and never gained power.
look at a better way of existing
talking about power and fall in love
When I present the theology of
with Jesus who is their spouse.
women, I prefer to focus on a
together. Otherwise, how can we offer an alternative?
constructive setting of love. Questions
For more than a century, various
of power rarely have a legitimate
forms of feminism have been
women’s leadership in the Catholic
context in Catholic culture where the
proposed. Sadly, many of them only
Church needs to continue to devel-
greatest (especially those privileged
seem to reduce women to the role of
op. But I think St. Teresa of Calcutta
with ordination) is called to serve the
acting as “men behaving badly.” We
offered us an important consideration.
least. Instead, I like to situate the
have had decades of women being
When people are in love, they do
conversation in the context of love
told in various ways that they’re not
not speak of power. Conversations
and there is no greater love than
good enough. There is perhaps no
about power only come up in settings
Christ crucified who, after his
clearer case than when a stay-at-home
where there is no love, where there is
resurrection, established his believers
mom is asked something along the
Obviously, the conversation about
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Yet the situation she addresses goes
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
W O M E N I N T H E B O DY O F C H R I S T lines of, “Yes, but what do you do?”, insinuating that somehow the role which she has chosen to prioritize is lacking because it does not confer a worldly title, much less a substantial paycheck. For all the freedom women in the developed nations are supposed to have, one could argue – and I do – that we are actually quite constricted in the freedom to make choices about how we choose to use our talents and spend our time, as if we were not competent to make that decision. We have also lost the sense of relation. The Body of Christ functions because all of the parts work in relation, specifically a relation of love, with each other. Take away love, both as the foundation and operating principle, and the body cannot exist.
At the close of the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI offered that the future of the world depended upon women. Surveying, the mess that feminism had become in some places, St. John Paul II, promoting what he termed a “new feminism,” offered that we had to be freed from the box of so-called “feminism.” Decades later, Cardinal Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI) maintained that women have a role in every aspect of society. In 2013, Pope Francis called for a theology of women to be developed and articulated. Over the course of my study of feminist and gender theories alongside the teachings of the Catholic Church, I am convinced that we need to recover something that has been lost in order to build something new.
Historically, the Catholic Church was the first major religion to require the same initiation rights for women and men: baptism. It is the first large-scale religious or government entity to allow women to make choices about how to live their own lives, born witness by the radical tradition of female martyrdom and women religious. Prior to the Church, no mainstream religion or substantial government advanced the education of all women, regardless of social standing. The Church, while divinely instituted, is also run by humans; so not all of these changes happened at once. There were developments and there continue to be. Nevertheless, it was a Church founded on the radical equality of women and men, (continued on next page.)
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W O M E N I N T H E B O DY O F C H R I S T (continued from previous page.)
otherwise both would not have been subject to the same rite of initiation. And the Church continued to be the first in these changes while other religions and governments lagged behind. Indeed, the radical equality of all humans, as put forth by the Church, continues to provide a great hurdle for the world. Naturally, questions of women’s ordination will come to mind. These are important areas to explore. Again, returning to my thesis that we need to recall and relearn the tradition of the Church on women, I am concerned that the conversations are mistakenly focused on power, and that the role of
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
women in the Church becomes relegated to a role that few men are called to experience. Recently, I served as Chancellor of one of the largest dioceses in the United States. I was by no means the first. Similarly, there are many women serving as CFOs and in other leadership capacities. While Canon Law stipulates that the bishop is the sole decision maker in his diocese, it does not preclude the bishop from delegating this responsibility to others, including women. And, if we listen honestly to priests, we’ll find that many of them have little or no experience of power because they take a vow of obedience to their bishop or religious superior. In fact, my work with priests often leaves me grateful that I am a lay woman with infinitely more choices and even more power. The Catholic Church is only about 2,000 years old. There are other older
religions. 2,000 years is almost infinitely young when compared to a universe that evidence suggests is exponentially older. While 2,000 years may seem a long time to us as humans with a much shorter life expectancy, perspective can help us to understand that the work of the Church will in all likelihood continue for at least many centuries, if not millennia, to come. As a colleague once noted to me, there could come a time in history when members of the Church look back on our time and regard us as the early Church, much as we regard the Church of the first century. Therefore, the work that we do now to further our understanding of the role of women in the Body of Christ could have implications for billions of souls in the millennia to come. At the very least, it can help us here and now to understand how God intended women and men to work together in a context of supernatural love.
A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
Being a scholar goes beyond the classroom by Lucy Campos ‘21
The first day of school has always been a favorite of mine— the new school supplies, the opportunity to make new friends, a new space to make my own. There was always something special about walking into a new classroom and seeing what it had to offer. To me, a good classroom was essential to my learning. Of course, as time passed, this dynamic changed. Instead of a designated English or science classroom, different rooms are used for a variety of courses. I no longer had a consistent room or space to count on. While relatively terrifying at first, this change taught me one of the greatest lessons of my life: being a scholar goes beyond the walls of a classroom. This past summer I spent two months living, learning, and interning in Washington, D.C. Through a program called “Leadership and the American Presidency,” co-sponsored by The Fund for American Studies in conjunction with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, I had the opportunity to take courses at George Mason University and intern for the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute. The things I had learned in a classroom turned into skills and knowledge that I could apply to the things I was doing in our nation’s capital. Along with this, my learning and education continued. I was learning about political theory and other big topics in a classroom, just as I was witnessing the inner workings of all these things in real life and real-time. I met and heard from Senator Angus King who gave great advice such as “regret the things you did, not the things you didn’t do” and “when in doubt...don’t get married.” I fangirled over shaking Senator Marco Rubio’s hand—maybe not a movie star, but the man was a presidential candidate. I also attended a variety of briefings and events on Capitol Hill and at some of our
nation’s biggest think tanks. The things I read about in some of my textbooks were real and all around me. I realized then that I would never stop being a scholar with the world as my classroom. While a traditional definition would tell you that a scholar is a distinguished academic or an educated specialist, my time at Holy Cross College has taught me that an education is so much more than memorizing things from a textbook. I have no doubt that rigorous courses and work have enabled me to discuss academic topics such as the biopsychosocial model, political theory, and the marriage plot. I’ve learned that being a scholar means stepping out of my comfort zone, taking in the world around me, and taking any and every opportunity to learn.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lucy Campos is currently a junior majoring in English and Psychology with a minor in Political Science. Lucy is president of the Holy Cross Psi Chi chapter, which is the international honor society for psychology. She has also presented research at the Midwestern Psychological Association Conference as well. Lucy is a member of the Sacred Heart Parish Choir at the University of Notre Dame. She is a first-generation student that hails from Elkhart, IN.
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FA L L U P D AT E S
CATHOLIC ATHLETES FOR CHRIST On October 31, Holy Cross College hosted a conversation with Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC). John Kuka, Holy Cross Vice President for Advancement and Athletics, moderated the panel discussion that consisted of three well known athletes—David Casper, Craig Stammen, and Patrick W. Steenberge. David Casper, nicknamed “The Ghost,” is a former National Football League player known best for his time with the Oakland Raiders. He is a member of the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Craig Stammen is currently a pitcher for the San Diego Padres. Patrick W. Steenberge is a former quarterback for the University of Notre Dame football team. He owns and operates Global Football, an organization that hosts competitive events for young amateur athletes worldwide.
Launched in 2006, CAC was formed in response to St. John Paul II’s call to evangelize the world of sports. CAC serves Catholic athletes, coaches, and staff through an integrated network of oriented clergy and lay people to promote a Catholic sports culture. The athletes spoke about sports and faith and the ways they are profoundly intertwined.
US NEWS RANKING Holy Cross College ranked in top thirty of Midwest regional colleges, recognized in two other categories Holy Cross College has been ranked in the top thirty of Midwest’s Best Regional Colleges, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Best College Ranking. The College was also ranked as 31st for best value, and came in 47th place for top performance in social mobility. The 2019 rankings are evidence of the turnaround since the Board of Trustees appointed Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C., as the College’s president in 2017. “I’m pleased that this truly remarkable place of Catholic higher education has been ranked as such,” said president of the College Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C. “It is a true reflection of the work of our devoted faculty, trustees, and administration. This recognition highlights the difference they make, enhancing the development and success of these young men and women through an exceptional liberal arts education.” The rankings used by the U.S. News and World Report are based on such widely accepted indicators of excellence as first-year student retention, graduation rates, and the strength of faculty.
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FA L L U P D AT E S
CONSTITUTION DAY
On September 18, Yvonne Pitts, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History at Purdue University delivered a lecture on “Lincoln, Martial Law, & Political Dissent During the Civil War” in commemoration of Constitution Day. Pitts is a true scholar of the constitution and her lecture helped to shed light on the strengths and
weaknesses of our found document. Her work has been published in the “Journal of Women’s History,” and she is also the recipient of a Library Scholars Grant which she is using to study the U.S. military’s regulation on prostitution in Civil War era Nashville, Tennessee. She regularly teaches courses in U.S constitutional history,
the history of sexual regulation, race and the law, and American legal culture. This year she was awarded Purdue University’s annual Murphy Award which recognizes five undergraduate professors for outstanding teaching.
HOLY CROSS SCHOLARS INDUCTED INTO DELTA EPSILON SIGMA On October 2, 2019, eighteen scholars were inducted into the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society (DES), an honor society geared toward Catholic higher education. Associate Professor of Business Issac Desta, Ph.D. delivered the address and inductees received a certificate and pin. DES members are invited into the honor society based on their grade point average. They must be in the top 20
percent of their class and in their junior or senior year. DES is a national organization focused on providing an enriching academic experience outside the classroom. Although the national honor society was founded in the 1930s, Holy Cross began its own chapter in 2011.
Congratulations to all of the college inductees.
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AT H L E T I C S U P D AT E S
Holy Cross College Fall Sports Recap by Tyler Braidic, Sports Information Director
Women’s soccer earned a trip to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) post-season tournament for the first time in the College’s history. The Saints entered the conference tournament with 6-5-1 league record and were the sixth seed in the tournament. This season they were led in goals scored by Olivia Shaw ‘23. The freshman recorded 12 goals on the season, while also having three assists for a total of 27 points. For her efforts on the pitch, Shaw was named CCAC All-Conference First Team. Bella Cuevas ‘21 anchored the Saints’ defense this season, starting in all 18 matches. Cuevas was named CCAC All-Conference Second Team. Women’s soccer ended their season with an overall record of 9-8-1.
Men’s soccer made it to the CCAC post-season tournament this past year for the second consecutive time. The Saints defeated Judson University in the opening round to advance to the tournament semifinal. Men’s soccer was led in points scored by Axel Valenzuela ‘22 who posted 27 points with eight goals and 11 assists. Valenzuela was awarded to the CCAC All-Conference First Team. Daniel Lynch ‘23 recorded 12 goals and one assist and was named CCAC All-Conference Second Team. On the defensive side, Jeff Rafter ‘21 and Lewis Tomlinson ‘21 were named All-Conference Second Team. Rafter was pivotal in the Saints’ defense, while also scoring six goals on the season. Tomlinson started in net in all of the Saints games. The junior goalkeeper was also tabbed CCAC Defensive Player of the Week four times and was named NAIA Defensive Player of the Week on October 15. Men’s soccer ended their year with a 12-5-2 record.
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AT H L E T I C S U P D AT E S
The Holy Cross College men’s and women’s golf teams had an impressive fall season. Men’s golfer Blake Vise ‘20 won three individual medalist honors this fall while also finishing in the top-10 six times. Freshman Walker Reyes ‘23 took home first place in the Warren Classic on October 29 and Camden Dal Corobbo ‘22 earned six top-10 finishes this fall. The men’s golf team won three tournaments, including the Bethel Invite at Blackthorn Golf Club on September 21, the LTU Invite at Treetops Resort on September 24, and the Warren Classic on October 29. The women’s golf team had three top-10 finishes this fall. Kaitlyn Vazquez ‘23 earned four top-10 individual finishes, while Madison Pool ‘22 and Rachel Scherer ‘22 each recorded one top-15 finish. The men’s and women’s golf teams will begin their second half of their seasons this Spring.
The Holy Cross College men’s tennis team ended their fall season going 1-1 in their two matches. The Saints defeated Bethel University 7-0 on September 26 and fell to Indiana University Southeast 5-2 on October 18. Dylan Euzarraga ‘21 and Jake Brown ‘20 are both 2-0 in their singles matches, competing in the No. 2 and No.5 singles respectfully. The men’s and women’s tennis team will begin their Spring schedule when they host Thomas Moore College on March 1. Both teams will be heading to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a Spring Break tournament, before they begin their CCAC play.
Congratulations on a great season, Saints! HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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H O LY C R O S S A LU M N I
CLASS UPDATES Christopher Ruhe ’79 retired from his job with a school district in metro Atlanta and began work as a school psychologist with the Department of Defense Education Activity. Christopher works for the federal government at a school for the children of soldiers living on base at Fort Benning, Georgia. Ed Trifone ’86 accepted the position of southeast regional director at Legatus in Florida. Ed works with top-ranking Catholic business leaders and their spouses to study, live, and spread the Catholic faith in their business, professional, and personal lives. Stacey Hutcherson-Burt ’96 attended Nursing School at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield Connecticut after her time at Holy Cross College. Stacey is now the director of nursing at an Ambulatory Surgery Center in Westchester, New York. Timothy Emerick ’98 was named to the Best Lawyers in America list. Tim is a CPA, business adviser, and corporate attorney specializing in corporate and corporate governance law. He works for Barnes & Thornburg. Kristen Hernandez ’01 is celebrating her fourth year in business as an independent consultant with Rodan+Fields, the top-selling skincare brand in North America. Kristen left a career in sales to focus on her entrepreneurial efforts. She also recently began substitute teaching in her local school district, the same district her own children attend. Gillian (Hurley) Palmer ’02 accepted a new teaching position at West Catholic High School, teaching English and Literature. Gillian, her husband Chris, and two-year old daughter, Molly, anxiously await the March 2020 birth of son, Charlie. The Palmers make their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Major Jon Sward ’02 has graduated from the United States Air Force’s Air University, Air Command and Staff College located at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, with a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree. David Gryp ’07 has been promoted to market president of Scottsdale at First Western Trust, in Arizona. Angela Sturm ’10 is the proud grandmother of six grandbabies, all 10 years old and under, two of whom were born this past year. Angela and family anxiously await the birth of grandbaby number
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seven. In addition to spending time with her three granddaughters and three grandsons, Angela enjoys traveling and working as an iconographer. Sarah Fugarino ’11 was excited to begin her new appointment as registrar at Martin University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Marie-Louise (Resweber) Bridgeman ’11 has been named residence life coordinator at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Steve Bridgeman ’12 has been promoted from branch manager of Enterprise Holdings in Austin, Texas, to Area Manager, managing eight locations within the Lubbock, Texas area. Michael Novitzki ’13 is seeking an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, while working full-time as the director of business development for KLM Engineering. Michael has served as a keynote speaker at Rural Water and American Water Works Associations throughout the United States. Catherine Ficker ’13 accepted a position as admissions counselor at Holy Cross College. David Fisher ’14 took a position as independent consultant with Cellular Sales in South Bend, Indiana on October 1, 2019. Hannah Vincent ’15 was named director of choreography for Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/ High School in Westphalia, Michigan. Hannah also teaches dance at Heather’s Dance Company in St. Johns, Michigan. Ryan Aranowski ’16 joined his father, and late grandfather, as a member of the South Bend Fire Department. Kyle Barry ’17 was promoted to stock coordinator at Tommy Bahama in February 2019. Brandon Lawler ’18 was hired as the youth, family, and sports programs director at the YMCA in French Creek, Ohio. Raven Delph ’18 accepted a position with Piece by Piece Autism Center as a registered behavioral technician. Nate Miller ’19 is employed at with University of Notre Dame Athletics as a ticket office intern.
H O LY C R O S S A LU M N I
BIRTHS, BAPTISMS, AND ADOPTIONS
MARRIAGES AND ENGAGEMENTS
Nichole (Molnar) Dunne ’09 and Jay Dunne ’07 are excited to announce that they are expecting their first child! Baby Dunne will be born in May 2020.
Thomas Hogan ’05 married his wife, Kelly Jennings, on July 20, 2019 on Beech Beach, in Rocky Point, New York.
Samantha (Augustowski) Gates ’10 and husband welcome the newest addition to their family. The adoption of Robert Gerard Gates was finalized on October 28, 2019.
Niko Jeliĉić ’14 and his wife, Gabi, married on August 10, 2019 in the Republic of Croatia.
Katie (Fetters) Emery ’10 and husband, Noah, rang in the New Year with a new bundle of joy. The Emery Family introduces Barbara Nancy Emery, born January 1, 2020.
Hannah Vincent ’15 became engaged to Steven Thelan. The couple plans to marry June 20, 2020. Jonathan Mehall ’15 married Carley Marie May 25, 2019 in Roswell, Georgia.
Joseph Esch ’11 and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their son, Oliver James, into the world on October 30.
Shelby (Nelson) Solomon ’16, and Trey Solomon ’17 were married in South Bend, Indiana on December 31, 2019.
Leah (Trattles) Kurz ’14 and husband, Daniel, announce the arrival of their first child, Kendra Marie, on September 8, 2019.
Patrick O’Connor ’18 and his wife, Adeline, were married at St. Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Cathedral in Gaylord, Michigan on July 6, 2019.
Kassie (Fletcher) Howland ’14 and Scott Howland ’14 were overjoyed to welcome their son, Oliver Peter Howland, to the world on July 30, 2019.
DEATHS
George Stainko ’15 and his wife, Alison, welcomed their son, Cole Michael Stainko, on August 4, 2019.
Kyle S. Peterson ’96 died suddenly of a heart attack while camping in the great outdoors that he loved so much. Kyle passed on July 7, 2018 at the age of 43.
Claire (Doriot) Tarala ’15 and Mike Tarala ’15 announced the birth of their third child, Jude Pier Tarala, on October 9, 2019. Christa (Tarala) Romkema ’16 and Ryan Romkema ’16 welcomed their sweet baby boy, Fulton Joseph, on January 26, 2020. Karina (Cain) Moore ’17 and husband, Drew Moore ’15, were delighted to add to their growing family with the birth of son, Cameron Thomas Moore, born May 27, 2019.
Holy Cross College student, William Christopher Berne, died in an automobile accident in rural Blackduck, Minnesota on September 24. William was 32.
Rayanna Harris ’18 was blessed with the birth of her second son, Casey, in March 2019. Holy Cross College director of career development Adam DeBeck and wife, Torrie, welcomed Colin Michael DeBeck on September 14, 2019. Big sister, Kate, is just thrilled with her baby brother.
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H O LY C R O S S A LU M N I S P OT L I G H T
The Dunne Duo: ALUMNI PROFILE
How Holy Cross has shaped Nichole ’09 and Jay ’07 Dunne
by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0
“The competence to see, and the courage to act.” Every Holy Cross College student – past and present – has undoubtedly encountered the college’s mission statement, for the saying weaves throughout courses and the community. Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C. the founding father of the Holy Cross Congregation, encapsulated the Catholic education and spirit through these nine words. Two alumni have found themselves continuing to live by Blessed Basil Moreau’s belief years after graduating and leaving South Bend. Jay ’07 and Nichole Dunne ’09 trace their lifestyles, mindsets, and marriage to their formative experiences as Holy Cross students. Now married and living in Indianapolis, IN (with a new Dunne on the way!), Jay and Nichole dove into their respective careers but continue to treasure and live by the theme of service to others.
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | SUMMER 2019
H O LY C R O S S A LU M N I S P OT L I G H T Through involvement in Holy Cross
PART II: Competence to See
today, Jay and Nichole hope to inspire
Perspectives Dianne Barlas assisted in building upon my knowledge of
current students by sharing their
A few months ago, Jay and Nichole
Catholicism. In her course, ”I gained a
respective journeys and the perks of being
decided to re-watch their old capstone
greater understanding of how to serve
alumni. If students embrace the liberal
videos. While viewing the presentations,
God through serving others, along with
arts program, lean-on Holy Cross’ Catholic
they were pleased with how the overall
the components of evangelism,”
identity to build their character, expand
themes and concepts addressed in their
Nichole said.
their worldview through global
projects remain relevant in their
opportunities, and invest in the Holy Cross
lives today.
tight-knit community – all of which the
The Dunne’s have also witnessed that the ability to articulate ideas and analyze
The capstone course urges Holy Cross
issues translate seamlessly into their
seniors to synthesize and reflect on their
own and many other Holy Cross alumni’s
college experiences in order to reveal
careers. Employed right alongside Notre
PART I: Background
their values and beliefs. These findings are
Dame and Ivy League graduates, Jay and
shared through a polished presentation at
Jay graduated in 2007 with the third class
Nichole know that their education has set
the end of the year. “The capstone
to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Holy
them up for success, especially when it
experience was unbelievable. While the
Cross. Transferring into the new program
comes to their communication skills.
trajectory of my outlined life was different,
as a junior, he earned his degree in Liberal
the themes and the topics I discussed then
Studies, with a focus on global issues. Jay
are as relevant now as they were then.
traveled to Ghana twice as a student and
Through this, I know who I am, what
taught at a Holy Cross School in-country
I believe in, and why I believe in it,”
for a year after graduation. After a year, he
Jay explained.
Dunne’s did – then success is in their future.
traveled to Washington, D.C. to earn his
“A Holy Cross College student is expected to be a strong communicator combined with their hard skills for career advancement, and I have heard other alumni agree that developing in communication and open-mindedness is fundamental to
master’s from George Mason University’s
As they watched their capstones, the
School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
Dunne’s remembered back to their college
He also revisited West Africa while studying
classes, ranging from mathematics to
peacebuilding in Liberia. Jay now works as
philosophy. Through this, they
a global security and intelligence
recognized that the liberal arts education
professional, helping multi-national
and Catholic identity of Holy Cross truly
– Nichole Dunne ‘09
companies protect their employees and
creates well-rounded, action-oriented
assets around the world.
students. Holy Cross does this by exposing their students to alternate ways of
Nichole graduated in 2009 from Holy Cross
analyzing problems: competence to see.
with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies
graduating from the college.”
PART III: Courage to Act Although Jay and Nichole’s involvements and interests differed during their time
and a concentration in Business. Right out
“The liberal arts education is a very
as students, both tackled issues that they
of graduation, Nichole continued to
scholarly approach to educating young
witnessed in their own community and
embrace the college’s emphasis on
people. Sometimes, in today’s age, the idea
beyond. Feeling confident to make a
internships with a completion of the
of getting a really in-depth, generalized
difference using their developed skillset,
Walt Disney Company’s College Internship
education is a little lost. It was an excellent
the two of them have created waves of
Program. Following six years working in
opportunity to become an intentional
lasting impact: the courage to act.
the staffing industry as a recruiter,
learner and to gain skills to approach any
supporting global finance and
subject through Holy Cross,” Jay shared.
pharmaceutical companies, Nichole has recently advanced her career into the health and wellness industry as a Client Services Manager at American Specialty Health.
During their time as students, three main components formed the college’s
For Nichole, theology courses brought
curriculum: a global, community, and
for exploration of her faith within a new
internship focus. With this came a
perspective. “ Associate Professor of
mandatory global immersion trip and
Theology and Director of Global
internship during a student’s tenure.
(continued on next page.)
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H O LY C R O S S A LU M N I S P OT L I G H T (continued from previous page.) These three factors are still highly relevant today. For instance, every student must
As a college senior, Jay went to Ghana
senior brunch presenter in 2017.
twice. These experiences broadened his
Additionally, they have worked directly
worldview and inspired him to challenge
with senior capstone classes through
others to reassess their understanding and
resume help and professional advice. With
relationship with the world around them,
students lined up for Nichole’s assistance on
either through activism or meaningful
resumes due to her experience in staffing,
conversations. Because of his strong
it is obvious that the Dunne’s talents and
empathy for others, Jay travelled back to
contributions are cherished within the
Ghana as a teacher, and later to Liberia to
college’s community. Only a short drive
support peacebuilding efforts. He also
away, they love coming back to campus,
Nichole found herself deeply drawn to the
permanently enhanced Holy Cross by
speaking directly with students, and
internship opportunities; she completed
working with associate professor
catching up with professors and
three as a student. In addition, Holy Cross’
Dianne Barlas to create the Center for
administrators that shaped their lives.
small community motivated her to become
Global Perspectives. Being able to cultivate
a leader. As a senior, she served as president
his mind and heart during his time as a
of the Social Concerns Committee. Through
student, Jay has positively impacted every
her involvement with the committee, she
Holy Cross student’s time after him through
helped manage the Thanksgiving food
this addition.
complete an internship before graduation. While students are no longer required to participate in a global immersion trip, they are highly encouraged. In addition, the core curriculum requires all students to take at least one global perspectives class with the hope that it plants new perspectives and cultures that influence future decisions and careers.
baskets initiative and executed events at
In every presentation and conversation, Jay and Nichole confirm for students that the college’s attention to writing, communication, and presenting skills paid off tremendously in their personal and
PART IV: Impact, Innovation, & Involvement
professional lives.
The values and mission have not changed
emerging identity and benefits best with
since the Dunne’s time on campus;
“we have come to realize that as a Holy
however, they have witnessed numerous
Cross graduate you are bound by nothing.
positive enhancements throughout the
You have received a top-quality
years that continue to strengthen the
education and have been guided towards
college’s place in South Bend and the
the discovery of your vocation, your calling,
country. Jay and Nichole remember a Holy
your purpose. We feel fortunate to share
Her heart for service did not disappear after
Cross without a quad, athletic facilities,
this message with current students. It’s
graduation; instead, it seemed to grow.
residence halls, and fewer majors;
even more wonderful when this message
From volunteering with event management
therefore, they admire the rapid growth
is confirmed by other alumni.”
for the American Cancer Society to assisting
of the campus, addition of sports programs,
in Thanksgiving food basket initiatives at
new faculty, and new degree programs.
her own church, Nichole continually puts
In short, they are seeing the continued
others first. This concept also translates into
formation of Holy Cross’ identity.
Dujarie House, thus merging two closely located communities together. “The Social Concerns Committee definitely helped me learn my passion and interest for helping others. Post-college, I realized I wanted to work with smaller communities where I can make a greater impact in whoever I’m serving,” Nichole said.
her career that focuses heavily on building client relationships.
34
“Through my time at Holy Cross College, I learned that even though we find ourselves in the Midwest, you always have to have a global perspective. Despite where you are in your immediate surroundings, knowing what’s going on and having empathy for human welfare around the world is incredibly important. It’s a part of being a complete person.” – Jay Dunne ‘07
With these advancements come a strong, diverse, and exciting network of alumni.
Moreover, Jay truly valued his two years on
As alumni themselves, Jay and Nichole
campus by immersing himself in other
hope to serve as resources to current
cultures through Holy Cross’ global
students and assure them that their
initiatives, participating in clubs like the
education is not to be undervalued. For
Africa, Faith, and Justice Network, and
instance, Nichole was honored as the
facilitating Cross & Anchor Workshops.
graduation alumni speaker and Jay as the
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
Jay and Nichole sum up Holy Cross’
The Reality of Literature by Anthony Monta, Ph.D.
The truth is, I never liked The Norton Anthology of English Literature. A single volume weighs over four pounds and contains over 3,000 pages, its content crammed onto paper as easily-tearable as the skin of an onion. I understand economics: in an anthology, you get centuries of literature in freeze-dried form, ready for re-hydration in any classroom. The scholarship accompanying such an anthology is impressive. But the overall impression is that literature is “done.” The poems, plays, and stories on those pages have no life or context. They stand next to each other like taxidermied animals in an empty museum. That means introducing students to literature as something real. To that end, I took my class of fourteen students in English 324: The Long Nineteenth Century to Special Collections in Hesburgh Library. Julie Tanaka, one of the marvelous curators there, brought out over twenty books and journals on my students’ reading list so they could pick them up, turn their pages, and see for themselves what the readings actually were.
“At Holy Cross College, I want students to be excited about literature, to feel in their guts that it is not “done,” and that literary works, because they engage so profoundly with life, are always worth their time and attention.” – Anthony Monta, Ph.D., English Professor
“Is this really Charles Dickens’s signature, on this first edition?” “Yes.” “This is calf-skin? hand-lettered ink? Really?” “Yes!” Their readings came to life — and those reanimated books, those genuine articles, turned out to be more complex and interesting than they had imagined. If we want good scholarship, we need students to engage with realities that are bigger than their preconceptions. Literary scholarship, done well, does precisely that.
Anthony Monta, Ph.D. is the chair of the English Department at the College. Before joining the faculty at Holy Cross, Monta worked for the Nanovic Institute for European Studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, serving as assistant director from 2007 to 2011 and as the associate director thereafter. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before moving to the Midwest, he taught English literature and composition at Louisiana State University.
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H O LY C R O S S D E V E LO P M E N T
Ready to build a better future? With a legacy gift to Holy Cross College you can help us to educate the scholars, citizens, leaders, and disciples of tomorrow. These kinds of planned gifts are simple to arrange and often return benefits back to you.
You can make a difference by leaving a lasting legacy at Holy Cross College. When you make a planned gift to the College, you become a member of the Saint Simeon Society. Are you interested in the Saint Simeon Society and making a planned gift? Visit: hcc-nd.giftplans.org Contact: JudeAnne Hastings at 574-239-8372
For example, you can:
Email: plannedgiving@hcc-nd.edu
• Make a gift today that costs you nothing during your lifetime. • Receive guaranteed payments for life in return for a gift. • Donate life insurance you no longer need. • Preserve your estate for your children and deliver ongoing support to Holy Cross. • Use a gift to reduce your estate tax exposure and eliminate capital gains.
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | SUMMER 2019
SOCIETY HOLY CROSS COLLEGE at Notre Dame, Indiana
H O LY C R O S S D E V E LO P M E N T
John Kuka named vice president for advancement and athletics
“I am truly humbled by this opportunity to join the community at Holy Cross College. It is an honor to be part of such a rich tradition of Catholic higher education. I would like to thank Father Tyson for his example of stewardship and for allowing me to take part in his vision for this remarkable institution.” – John Kuka, Vice President for Advancement and Athletics
In September 2019 the college welcomed John Kuka, as the new vice president for advancement and athletics. He will oversee all development efforts for the college, as well as, athletics. Kuka previously served as the associate director of athletics at Valparaiso University. Kuka brings to Holy Cross College more than fifteen years of communications, development and marketing experience in athletics and higher education. During his time at Valparaiso University, he was responsible for the overall administration of Valparaiso’s athletics advancement efforts, including all major and annual gifts.
“I am so pleased that John has taken on this role,” said President Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C. “It is hard to imagine anyone better suited for these specific areas of leadership. His spirit and talents are truly befitting to our renewed mission of providing these young men and women with a transformative, intentionally Catholic liberal arts education.” Previously, Kuka worked as the director of athletics development at DePauw University. In this role, he was responsible for the overall administration of a campaign to secure more than $70 million in commitments to support DePauw athletics, and coordinated gifts totaling more than $24 million in
the first year of the campaign. He also worked at DePauw University as the director of the annual fund and executive secretary of the Washington C. DePauw Society, the university’s leadership-level giving society. Kuka earned his bachelor’s degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame. He earned his master’s at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, where he also served as the school’s assistant dean for communications. Kuka served in the United States Army from 1998 until 2000. He and his wife, Katie, are parents of Jack, Maggie and Moira.
2020 PHONATHON | JANUARY 18- 30 Thank you to everyone that answered our call! You helped Holy Cross raise $57,872 in gifts and pledges from 136 alumni, current and past parents, gateway alumni, gateway parents, and friends of the college.
Thank you If you missed our call and would like to support Holy Cross, please make a secure gift online at www.hcc-nd.edu/give
WE CALLED
YOU ANSWERED
YOU GAVE
$$$ $$$ $$$
HOLY CROSS STUDENTS REJOICE HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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H O LY C R O S S C A R E E R D E V E LO P M E N T
Adam DeBeck
Preparing Scholars for the Future by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0
As I walk into Adam DeBeck’s office, I expect the normal interview process – ask the questions, type some answers, and then get writing; however, this time, the process differed. Before I had the chance to begin, DeBeck interjected and asked if we could move to a new location for the interview, away from his desk that was piled high with a looming workload. We took a moment to discuss our favorite places on Holy Cross campus and decided to venture to the second floor Vincent Atrium, one of his peaceful places on campus with 360-degree windows that displayed the falling snow outside. Once we were situated, he naturally started inquiring about myself and my background. Through this, a feeling of comfort and familiarity engulfed our interview. For a moment, I forgot that I was there for a Connections interview; instead, we were just there to talk.
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
Later in the interview DeBeck mentioned, “I don’t want the Career Center to be transactional; I want it to be conversational.” At that moment, I realized the importance of our initial conversation and the power that Adam DeBeck and the Holy Cross Career Center offers students: personal connections that lead to tailored internship opportunities and careers. DeBeck has always had a gift when it comes to interacting with new people and sharing relatable stories. During his time in college as a firstgeneration student, he studied Human Resources; however, after graduation, he was unsure of the direction that this would take him. Upon graduation, DeBeck had compiled a thorough resume with rich experiences and academics, yet he struggled to grasp the skills that he could offer companies. Taking
time to reflect on his passions during college, he realized how much he enjoyed being a tour guide and ambassador for his own small, private, Catholic college. Translating this passion of sharing stories to his career, DeBeck obtained a job at Holy Cross as an admissions representative for students coming to Holy Cross from across the country; traveling to different schools and events, DeBeck endeavored to attract highperforming students to South Bend. As time continued and his own family grew, DeBeck let go of the constant travel to assume a role in the Office of College Relations that involved communicating with alumni and bringing them back to campus. This opportunity allowed him to start meeting alumni, creating meaningful connections, and learning about the different paths of Holy Cross graduates.
H O LY C R O S S C A R E E R D E V E LO P M E N T
“We want our students to take their scholarship and connect it to action through their professional internship.” – Adam DeBeck, Office of Career Development & Capstone Instructor He greatly valued his relationships with Holy Cross alumni, yet DeBeck missed interacting directly with current students. Fortunately, this void was filled when he was asked to take over the College’s senior Capstone class. A course that all students must participate in before graduation, the Capstone class offers seniors a time to reflect on their experiences, skills, and beliefs through creating a twenty-five-minute presentation about themselves. While each student might not have a job upon graduation, DeBeck wanted his students to see the value that they could add to their desired job field – something that he struggled with early on in his career. Now that DeBeck wore two hats, working in the Office of College Relations and teaching the Capstone class, Father David T. Tyson, C.S.C.
envisioned a way to merge DeBeck’s skills and fully use his unique ability to connect and inspire students and alumni. Father Tyson asked if DeBeck would assume the role of Director of Career Development alongside the College’s Internship Coordinator, Kathryn Cressy. DeBeck dove headfirst into his new role, working hard to create a demand, desire, and interest in hiring Holy Cross students in the South Bend community. To start, he took advantage of the small size of Holy Cross and began getting to know the students. This way, he could work towards personalized recommendations or placement for them. He hopes that students will come visit the Career Development team because they want to chat, grow, and reflect. For instance, whenever a student goes
to the office looking for letter of recommendation, DeBeck places the resumes and personal statements aside and pulls out a blank sheet of paper and pen. Next, he starts questioning the students about why he/she would be a strong candidate for a job in the desired field. Rather than getting lost in titles of past involvements, DeBeck urges his students to focus on what their opportunities meant to them and the skills that they gained. “When you are writing something alone, it is drastically different from when someone is pushing you to dig deeper. When I interview students, I want them to see the value in all their experiences,” DeBeck stated. As a student discovers significant skills and their values, DeBeck jots down bullet points that will help fill in their skill gaps. DeBeck then encourages the student to use the (continued on next page.) HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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H O LY C R O S S C A R E E R D E V E LO P M E N T overcome their disabilities and evolve into hockey players---it solidified the fact that I want to do exactly this for the rest of my life. My goal is to help create a Blind Hockey team in every major city across the United States,” Chesrow said. He also believes that his hands-on experience gives him an advantage; hoping that other students will take full advantage of internships and soak up skills that will push them ahead.
Adam DeBeck (continued from previous page.) notes from their conversation to develop another draft of the document on their own. Moreover, if students are struggling to obtain a job, he encourages them to reflect and find alternate ways to present themselves. “I want students to realize that all their experiences are valued, so try “fishing with different bait” by refreshing your resume to gain the employer’s attention,” DeBeck suggested. Above all, he wants his students to tap into their passions and skills to find internships and potential career paths. Junior Anthony Chesrow achieved this through his summer experience of creating a Seattle Blind Hockey program. Playing for the USA National Blind Hockey team, Chesrow translated his personal experiences to kickstart a Blind Hockey program all the way in Seattle. By doing this, it solidified his passion and allowed him to figure out that he hopes for this to be his career. “Hockey will forever be my true passion, but by seeing the athletes who participated in it try to
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
“Knowledge is power, and by gathering as much knowledge as possible during your internship you will only set yourself up for success once your internship is over,” stated Chesrow. Both DeBeck and Cressy are life-long residents of the local area and they strive to build bridges between the South Bend and Holy Cross community. Subsequently, they actively and regularly journey out into the South Bend community, seeking to build relationships with employers. “When I bring employers to campus, they are people I have built a relationship with over time. There is a different level of communication,” DeBeck said. With his ultimate goal to create a connected alumni network, DeBeck has an open-door policy that allows for any Holy Cross graduate to request a time to speak for fifteen minutes with his senior Capstone class about life after college. “The network a student builds with their peers and their faculty can be extremely helpful in taking the first step after graduation. I decided to invite alumni to return to campus to show students that our alumni are another great resource anxious to
support them.” Realizing that there is not just one way alumni can donate to their alma mater, DeBeck sees this as a way that graduates can give back by inspiring and informing seniors about opportunities at their respective companies. Take Tyler Kanczuzewski ‘12, who now works as the vice president of marketing and sustainability for Inovateus Solar, a company that he co-owns. Kanczuzewski works with DeBeck to connect Holy Cross students and recent graduates with paid internships. “My strong connection with HC has allowed me a continued education, continued networking, and now interns for the company I co-own. I employ Holy Cross graduates because they are experienced and motivated young professionals that can make a difference,” Kanczuzewski stated. Holy Cross offers a different, deeper level of attention that other bigger schools cannot offer. For instance, DeBeck held the first ever career fair at Holy Cross. Compared to Notre Dame’s jam-packed, bustling event, the Holy Cross Career Fair included a few, highly curated, hand-picked employers that DeBeck closely knows. Instead of impersonal elevator pitches and shuffling business cards, the Holy Cross event consisted of in-depth conversations. Due to this personability, after the event, four companies offered Holy Cross students a position. “By knowing our students’ stories and what they are looking for and knowing individuals in our community and what they are looking for, I can pair them together,” DeBeck said. Junior Shaima Musleh benefitted from this closer attention when Adam
H O LY C R O S S C A R E E R D E V E LO P M E N T DeBeck forwarded her an email about enFocus, a South Bend company dealing with industrial civic entrepreneurship. Knowing that Shaima was interested in the medical field, DeBeck shared this paid, full-time summer internship with her. While the job didn’t end up focusing heavily on medicine, Shaima expanded her skillset by working on an educational recycling program for kids and through building an app that aids at risk pregnant women. “I had so much fun during my internship because I branched out more than I expected. I realized I was good at other things than just science,” Shaima shared. This being her first job, Shaima fully utilized the Career Development Office, especially by learning how to better present herself during interviews. When asked to give a piece of advice to current students, Shaima advised others to use Holy Cross as a resource. “If you are hesitant, don’t know what’s out there, or don’t know how to present yourself, the Career Office is the place to go,” said Musleh. Once a student is successful in finding an internship that fits their passions, Holy Cross believes that finances should not be a barrier. To combat this potential problem, Holy Cross has grant funds to financially compensate students for participating in competitive, project-based internships. Essentially, the Lilly Grant gives money to organizations who agree to employ Holy Cross students, and then the company uses the grant money as the student’s salary; this setup allows companies that couldn’t afford intern salaries to employ Holy Cross students. Last summer, Holy Cross had four official partners and eleven
students placed in paid internships. Financial support from Holy Cross allowed junior Lucy Campos to participate in a competitive internship in D.C. this past summer. “Without the grant from Holy Cross, I would not have been able to attend my program and have this opportunity,” Lucy confided. Placed with the Congressional Hispanic Institute for two months, Lucy merged two of her biggest passions – youth leadership and the Hispanic population – with politics. She had the chance to attend briefings on the hill, interact with congress people, work in the office, help with a Young Leadership program, and more. Before her internship, she hadn’t considered nonprofit as a potential career path, but this summer opened her eyes to the possibilities out there. Lucy wants other Holy Cross students to keep their eyes and ears open for every opportunity, even if it seems unaffordable or unattainable. “Don’t be afraid to use your resources. The Career Center is honestly a great resource here. They genuinely care and have a true interest in Holy Cross students. I know the financial aspect can be incredibly overwhelming, but it doesn’t hurt to ask for help and grants,” Lucy advised.
up in a room filled with individuals who you want to be one day, saying ‘hi’ to someone if you are shy, and intentionally working to grow your network. Just show up and try. I am here as a collaborator, and I want students to come to the Center because they want to be better.”
“If you are hesitant, don’t know what’s out there, or don’t know how to present yourself, the Career Office is the place to go.” – Shaima Musleh ‘22
Above all, the Career Development Office are here for all Holy Cross students who want to expand their knowledge, experiences, and skills through participating in internships and laying the foundation for meaningful a career after graduation. In order to do so, DeBeck has some advice for students, “You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable – that means asking for help, showing HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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S E A T
O F
WISDOM by Daniel Baker, ‘20
I made a chair. It is the first of what I hope will be many. The project was part of my career internship this fall. Since my graduation in December, I am working full-time as a pre-industrial woodworker, building furniture with hand tools. The path that led me to this craft has been a long one--maintaining and flying on aircraft in the Navy, remodeling homes, and before volunteer work. There have been two constants through it all: a desire to work with my hands, and a love of learning. War makes more urgent the questions of life. For me, while on deployment in the Middle East, the pressing desire to have such questions answered developed within me a thirst for wisdom and a love of books. After leaving the Navy in 2007, I moved to South Bend
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HOLY CROSS COLLEGE Connections | WINTER 2020
to live, work, and study at the local Catholic Worker house of hospitality, a community centered on the practice of the works of mercy. I enrolled at Holy Cross College.
I believe I have found such work. This realization crystallized over time, through the crucible of wrestling with questions regarding the good life and how to realize it.
Three times over the past twelve years I decided to put my college education on hold for different reasons: to respond to the immediate needs of the Catholic Worker; to complete a woodworking apprenticeship under Geoffrey Keating, a friend and master of the craft; and to test a calling to the priesthood. These sojourns have been as formative as any education received in the classroom; but my studies at Holy Cross College have
In a course of Father Michael Sullivan’s, I was introduced to Aristotle’s ethics, which is based on the pursuit of the greatest good: the happiness of the good life—and the habits of excellence, or virtues, by which one may realize the goods that constitute such a life. This Aristotelianism was synthesized with Christianity by St. Thomas Aquinas, whose thought was unpacked in the many philosophy courses I took with Dr. David Lutz’s virtue ethics course
been the glue holding these experiences together as an intelligible whole: a robust liberal arts education has provided me with the tools needed to make better sense of my life, the world, and my place in it. Holy Cross has truly been to me an Alma Mater, in the image of Mary, Sedes Sapientiae, a “seat of wisdom.” I started college not knowing exactly where it would lead me; but it was always my hope that the education would prepare me for work worth doing: a job that is creative, challenging, and meaningful. In pre-industrial woodworking,
made sense; and it provided a moral framework for how I would think about work. I learned from Aristotle and Aquinas that the key to happiness is living in accord with the natural law: a law written on our hearts, discoverable by reason, and made all the clearer by God’s gift of revelation. Living in conformity with the natural law makes one truly free--free to pursue the good. This freedom includes the creative freedom inherent in good work.
The ancients recognized the goods of virtuous workmanship: durability, function, and beauty--all “goods” grounded in the human nature of an artifact’s user, whether these traits be manifest in architecture or a chair. By the chairmaker’s fidelity to the pursuit of these goods, he enters into a relationship with his work: his virtues shape the chair; and the making of the chair shapes the worker. This vision of work is radically at odds with much of our modern, industrial culture. Machines and management have largely separated workers from the pursuit of the good. The shift in how people generally work has
increased the production of cheap “goods,” such as chairs, at the expense of the excellence of both the furniture and its makers. This is why much modern work is a sort of slavery compared to the creative freedom to which we are called. “Arbeit Macht Frei” (Work Sets You Free): words scrolled in iron at the entrance gates of Aushwitz and other Nazi concentration camps. A lie, and one that is still told today by what Catholic author Hilaire Belloc called “The Servile State,” in which (continued on next page.) HOLY CROSS COLLEGE hcc-nd.edu
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S E A T
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WISDOM
many are coerced into menial work because they lack the property, or means of production, necessary to do otherwise. According to the agrarian novelist Wendell Berry, our modern economy, in offering us certain jobs, buys our freedom as workers, “pays for it, and then persuades its money back again with shoddy goods and the promise of freedom.” This form of slavery is easily entered once “we have mechanized and automated and computerized our work...in order to have leisure and pleasure;” for such “progress” often divides us from the true goods we are meant for: community, the satisfaction and beauty of a job well done, and a closer relationship with God through a more intimate and respectful relationship with His creation. In response to our acceptance of such a “filthy, rotten system,” as Dorothy Day called it, she and Peter Maurin founded the Catholic Worker movement in 1933, in the belief that the Church had answers to the social ills of the day—especially those per-
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taining to labor. I was introduced to those answers during the years I lived at the Catholic Worker, and in a class of Senior Vice President Michael Griffin’s. In the social tradition of the church is found a vision of a more humane economics called distributism: a vision of an economy rooted in the wide distribution of property and the means of production, centered on the home and family, and preferring the work of artisans and handcrafts to automated production. The main focus of distributism is not large government programs; it is personal action, especially in how one consumes, and how one works. Hillaire Belloc, who along with G.K. Chesterton was a primary formulator of early distributist thought, argued that even the decision whether or not to buy quality furniture is bound up with our quest for freedom wrote “...a well-made piece of furniture, neither repulsive nor mechanical in design, will cost more than a piece turned out by mass production. But
you are buying something for society at that price, and it is a something well worth society’s while—much better worth in our eyes than cheap furniture. That ‘something’ is citizenship, and an escape from slavery.” Over the last few years, I have acquired the property, knowledge, and skills necessary to build furniture. I have a workshop, tool chest, and supply of lumber. My shop is in the back bedroom of my home; and so far the majority of my customers have been my friends and neighbors. Distributists have often been charged with wanting to unravel industrial “progress,” and returning to the middle ages: the age of craft guilds, an agrarian-centered economy, and the relatively wide distribution of property. But looking back to such a time may not be a bad thing—if their age was marked by the practices institutionalized and preserved in the monasteries; the very practices we’ve been made for as humans.
“Ora et Labora et Lege” (Pray, Work, and Study) At Holy Cross, I took a course called “Creation and Evolution,” taught by Brother Lawrence Unfried, C.S.C. and Professor Edward Gareau. Tracing the evolution of man, I came to realize that what sets us apart from other animals are the very same human abilities central to the monastic ethos: prayer, work, and study. This is our nature; so, to live in accord with the natural law, one must recognize and develop these capacities and gifts. It is by the harmonious interplay of these three practices that my own work has happily evolved into something both scholarly and prayerful. I rely on books about hand-tool woodworking. Besides those forms of study, the very practice of the craft demands a constant learning from mistakes, and an attitude of developing and testing arguments. Each new piece of furniture is an essay on what I have come to understand about the nature of wood, beauty, and humanity.
Prayer in work is also important, giving otherwise “secular” work a uniquely Christian flavor. Prayer is a conversation that situates one’s work in the larger story. There is a goal to that story and looks like work; and that Aristotelian telos, or end, to which our virtues aim, is also our sole hope.
You can view Daniel’s work and contact him at: www.debakerfurniture.com
“Ave Crux, Spes Unica” (Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope) My hope is that our own good works will find their ultimate purpose. When I rest in the recently completed chair and run my fingers over the handworked details, I rejoice in the gifts of scholarship, prayer, and work that brought it to be. It is thanks in large part to my time at Holy Cross, my Alma Mater, that I have come to this good work; and it is by the grace of God that such wisdom has found its way into this seat.
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Ten minutes before he was scheduled to present, Olabisi Nard ‘20 looked down and said, “I changed my mind. I don’t want to do this.” In 10 short minutes, the now-empty room would be filled with an audience of faculty and his fellow students, all eager to hear him speak. “You’ve come too far to give up now,” I told him. “Just cross the finish line.” He was the last of my students to give his final presentation this year, and, although I knew he was ready, I also knew that what he needed was to feel ready. I just hoped my last-minute pep talk would be enough. Like all Holy Cross College students, Olabisi’s college career was about to come to a close with his Capstone presentation. Unlike most, however, he wouldn’t be giving his presentation in the conference room at the Pfeil Center, and he wouldn’t be wearing a suit and tie. Instead, Olabisi stood at a battered table-top podium in a khaki jumpsuit, the walls were faded and pitted, and the windows fitted with prison bars. Also very unlike traditional Holy Cross students, Olabisi had been serving time almost as long as the average Saint has been alive. But like all Saints, this one short presentation was all that stood in the way of his graduation. Olabisi was one of my students in the Moreau College Initiative (MCI) at Westville Correctional Facility. Although the students in MCI are fully Holy Cross students, and their names are on the same honor roll sheets and commencement programs as the students
Liberated Minds by Justin McDevitt, J.D., M.A.
Instructor, Moreau College Initiative Senior Capstone and Career Internship Director at the main campus, they are still faced with constant reminders that theirs is a different road to walk to graduation. For example, while there are a small library and computer lab among the cluster of drafty classrooms at Westville, our students have no access to the internet, email or printers. All of the students’ assignments and papers are submitted either
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handwritten or via two faculty members who have been granted thumb drive access. All of their research is done through faculty, graduates, and MCI’s AmeriCorps volunteer, but it can still take up to a week or more for any books or articles that they request to physically get out to them. That said, a few of the other differences between the typical Holy Cross experience and that of our students in MCI are the result of thoughtful innovation by MCI’s founding director, Alesha Seroczynski, Ph.D. And, to that end, one of the most striking changes involves the Capstone itself. When I first met with Dr. Seroczynski in late 2017 to discuss coming on board to work with our first class of BA graduates, she took me to watch a few Capstone presentations in the Pfeil Center at the main campus. With each one we watched, I was impressed by the thought and care the students put into telling their journey: where they came from, their time at Holy Cross, and how the college has helped shape where they will go from here. In Seroczynski’s vision, however, we had an opportunity to take our students at MCI even further. While still giving our students the chance to engage their personal narrative as part of the Capstone, she and I
worked over the next few months to establish the Capstone as an independent research project, one chosen by each student based on a topic that was important to him personally, and research that stemmed from their own experiences and interests. Essentially, we decided together that day that to graduate from the Moreau College Initiative with a Bachelors, each student would have to do independent academic research, write a 30-40 page Capstone thesis, then present it to a panel of MCI faculty and their peers. We knew it was a risk, as any departure is, but we wanted to challenge and empower our students in a way that not even the University of Notre Dame asks of its graduates (the Program of Liberal Studies excepted). We still wanted it to be deeply personal, but also academically rigorous, as our focus is on educating the whole person and preparing him for professional pursuits after release from prison. And it showed. For the past three years, our students have consistently risen to the challenge, writing and presenting on topics from climate change and PTSD to gun violence and prison reform. I still remember a presentation last May when one of the correctional officers stood in the doorway and watched. It must have been strange to see one of his
jumpsuited charges standing up in front of a classroom and speaking eloquently and volubly to a packed house on a fairly complex subject; but for us, it was exactly what we hoped would happen, and then some. And it was for Olabisi, too. Throughout the course of the year, he researched the history and development of gangsta rap, coding lyrics and creating an original data set of major themes found in the genre over time. For Olabisi, the topic wasn’t just interesting, it was deeply personal. He recalled the influence that gangsta rap had on him and other young men in his community in his youth, and how that contributed to his decision to commit the crimes that landed him in prison in the first place. For our students, fusing rigorous academics with their lived experience is what makes our Capstone so unique and meaningful. In the end, Olabisi would overcome his nerves and cross the finish line, just like I knew he could. He would stand at the podium presenting for 20 minutes and answering question after question for another 20 minutes. It was honestly one of the most compelling presentations I’ve ever seen in my academic life. Our students in MCI are capable of so much good; sometimes they just need to see that for themselves.
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SPEAKER OFFERS INSIGHT INTO LIFE DURING THE
Civil Rights Movement “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a way of demonstrating our commitment to the values that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for, the Holy Cross College community came together to celebrate his life, legacy, and spirit. The celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Civil Rights Movement was held on the campus of Holy Cross College in Driscoll Auditorium. Students, faculty, staff, and administration welcomed the public to commemorate King’s values of courage, truth, and justice that defined his character and empowered his leadership. Through his work, he showed us how one person can make a difference, preached about tolerance and respect, and introduced new ideas inspiring countless people to take up the cause for diversity and equality. He demonstrated that together, with courage and compassion, despite challenge and controversy, we can
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positively transform the lives of others in our communities. Joining the celebration was guest speaker and civil rights activist Mr. Richard Morrisroe, a man who not only heard King’s message, but actively worked toward living a life focused on diversity and equality. Morrisroe, now married with two adult children, earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Mary of the Lake University, a master’s degree in urban studies from Loyola University, a law degree from Northwestern University, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Catholic Theological Union. As an adjunct faculty member at Calumet College of St. Joseph since 1981, he has taught courses in many courses including business ethics, social justice, and scripture studies.
MARCH FOR LIFE EXPERIENCE INCLUDED FELLOWSHIP AND PRAYER Before becoming a professor, Morrisroe spent some of his life following in King’s call, participating in non-violent demonstrations. In his time serving Chicago’s African American community, Morrisroe found himself increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement. This involvement led him to travel to the South where he had a life altering experience. Facing trials and overcoming challenges, losing a friend and almost losing his own life in the summer of 1965, Morrisroe never let these obstacles deter him from continuing to fight for what he believed in. “Mr. Morrisroe presented a PowerPoint with slides of himself as a young priest in Alabama, and slides of Jonathan Daniels (civil rights activist). He told first-hand about the hatred he encountered, how he believed both Daniels and himself had been intentionally targeted, the lingering injuries he suffered and the efforts to save his life,” noted professor David Hoffman who assisted securing the visit by Morrisroe to the college. He also spoke about “the fact that his attacker, who was also Daniel’s murderer, was acquitted by an all-white jury and when a federal grand jury was convened to possibly bring federal charges against this murderer this jury seemed more concerned with the belief that Daniels and Morrisroe were ‘outside agitators’ than with bringing the murderer to justice.” One memorable moment of the presentation for Hoffman was the knowledge shared that Jonathan Daniels, prior to being murdered, shared a jail cell with Stokely Carmichael. “Carmichael, Daniels and Morrisroe were all working on behalf of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Carmichael was African-American, while Daniels and Morrisroe were white. What I found somewhat sad is a year after Daniels was murdered, and Morrisroe almost killed, Carmichael voted with other SNCC members to expel white activists from SNCC. While I knew their reasons why, I instantly had an internal debate about whether this decision to expel was wrong from both a philosophical and pragmatic perspective,” said Hoffman. Hoffman felt it was important for Morrisroe to speak at the college because many activists during that time in history have passed and this speaker allowed the community a chance to hear from someone who actually participated in, and almost died, supporting civil rights. What an honor to witness a piece of living history.
Holy Cross College students, faculty and staff members joined several hundred from the tri-campus area for the March for Life in Washington, D.C. This annual event allows visitors to witness and promote the dignity of human life with the common purpose of demanding the legal protection of the unborn. “At the same time, the experience also contains many other important aspects, including fellowship and prayer. The long hours of the bus ride and time spent just being together provides fertile ground for the sharing of stories and reflections as to how best we as a community and as individuals can support the vulnerable in our society,” said Dean of Students Andrew Polaniecki. “Recited rosaries, touching moments of prayer, and gatherings to celebrate the Mass are scattered throughout the mini-pilgrimage, providing depth” to the experience. The travelers returned to Holy Cross at the beginning of the spring semester. “The March for Life experience was again a source of encouragement and hope as I go about work as an educator in faith,” noted Polaniecki.
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Stepping on Stage: students partner with professional Shakespearean actor David Rubin
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by Madelyn McBride, Gateway 7.0
On February 4, 2020, Holy Cross College English students stepped out of the classroom and onto the stage with direction from David Rubin, a professional Shakespearean actor. He was in South Bend to take part in the Actors from the London Stage program at the University of Notre Dame and has acted with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Old and Young Vic, and many regional theatre companies in the UK. English Professor Anthony Monta created this collaboration between Holy Cross and the Actors of London Stage, a program based at the University of Notre Dame but part of the tri-campus community for over a decade.
To begin the hour and fifteen-minute session, David Rubin first claimed, “This play of Shakespeare wasn’t written to be studied, it was meant to be performed,” and performed they did. Using their whole body in active warm-up exercises and extravagant recitations, the students learned how to command the stage, observe details, and incorporate iambic pentameter through clapping, jumping, whispering, shouting, and more. “A lot of the time I felt silly and uncomfortable, like when we did the iambic pentameter stomp, but ultimately I was glad I was engaging in my class material in a different way,” student Connor Brinkley ‘23 said. For one of the early exercises, the students came up with an action to accompany their name. Every student then shared it, and the rest of the class mimicked every moment in order to display the importance of nonverbal acting. Additionally, they used their hands and feet when reviewing rhythm, a crucial aspect of Shakespeare.
“Mr. Rubin really made me think about the way I present myself through body language not only on the stage but in everyday life. It definitely opened my eyes to how sometimes our bodies speak louder than our words,” student Christina Randazzo ‘23 shared. After a few more warm-ups, the class worked together to perform an excerpt of “The Tempest.” Each student given a line to recite, the scene included intentional body language and dominant voices. “I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to act out a scene from “The Tempest.” Not only was it fun, but I believe being in a character’s shoes will allow me to understand the thoughts and words better when I am reading them,” student Mikayleigh Clark ‘22 said.
“This unique perspective, that was so free of academic restraint, motivated me to engage more in his workshop. It also informed my way of reading Shakespeare. Now, I think more about literary devices that can be projected on the stage like tone and imagery as opposed to devices more suited for a poem or novella like metaphor,” student Oscar Kasch ‘23 said. The excitement didn’t stop here. All the students who participated in the workshop attended the production of “The Tempest” at the University of Notre Dame February 7, where Rubin played the roles of Prospero and Antonio. The tickets were generously supported by Division Chair and Professor of Psychology Doris Van Auken, Ph.D. With the students currently engaging with “The Tempest” in class, this opportunity continued to bring Shakespeare to life.
As the workshop went on, every student’s confidence rose as they assumed the role of “actor;” their laughter and joy filled the Driscoll Auditorium.
“Language comes alive in performance, and students learn best by doing. My hope is that this class will translate into more thorough reading and acting throughout the rest of the semester.” – Anthony Monta, Ph.D., English Professor
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