Cabrinihelps build leaders for the millennium

By Chris Nielsen sports editor

A full week before most upperclassmen came to campus, a number of returning students took place in a leadership conference at Cabrini. The students selected to attend were upperclassmen who have assumed leadership roles for the upcoming academic year.

Among the students invited to the two day conference were club leaders, tellJDcaptains, Student Government Association members, campus ministers, and members of the Ethnic Students Alliance. Of all the groups, the team captains were the least represented because of conflicts with their training camps.

This year's conference was put together by Paul Weaver, acting dean of students, Bridget Baxter, director of student activities, Dr. Myrna Grandgenett, special assistant to the president on missions integration, and senior students Chad May and Jen Reither.

The conference was different from others in years past in that it featured both a keynote speaker and a ropes course. The keynote speaker was Marcus O'Sullivan, who is the current head coach of Villanova University's cross country and track teams. He gave an inspirational account of his past racing successes and failures, which he felt have helped him grow as a person.

The highlight for sophomore Colin McGinley was the ro~s course, which took place at Villanova. Teamwork and physical activity were two of the qualities of the outdoor ropes course, which also featured a wall climb.

Among the items on the agenda during the confer- ence were better communication between the students and the administration. Dean Weaver is actively working on specific plans to facilitate communicititm with the students. Among his plans are increased participation in informal settings and more effective formal meetings. "Students should have information, not rumors or hearsay" Weaver said. Due to the number of changes in the administration over the past summer, the preparation for the conference was kind of rushed, according to May. "In the past, there was more staff interaction," May said. Despite the hurriedness, the conference has been considered a success. If the participants take away one thing, it would be "understanding of their gifts and willingness to share," according to Weaver.

Thursday, September 9, 1999

Class of '03 • arrives

b Kristen WIiiiams news edito

Expressions of excitement, £ and sadness walked through th halls of Woodcrest and Xavier a the students in the class of 200 arrived at Cabrini on Sunday, Au gust 29. As the new student found their way thr-oogha mass o new faces and into their rooms upperclassmen aided in calmin the anxiety, orgamzmg ne "homes," and giving nameles aces identity.

The students participated i Cabrini's first ever Welcom Mass and the traditional Matricu lation Ceremony that welcome them to the Cabrini Campus an invited them to be an active mem ber of the Cabrini community.

'fyler Burt, an Xavier residen hailing from South Carolina sai ''The ceremonies made me feel if I was finally starting college ey reminded me of graduation but at the same time, I enjoye owing I was here."

As the family cars began to dis appear down the wooded drive o Cabrini's campus, students kep usy arranging and decoratin ooms, talking to new foun friends, and participating i "play" activities that had been or ganized by Orientation Coun selors. As night fell and the ac tivities ended many first-year stu dents were found sitting wi "strangers" talking about the· feelings, hopes and fears.

Bonnie Ciarlick, a Woodcres resident from Philadelphia said " was excited to bet here, to be ou of my house and on my own."

Karl Kinker, an Xavier residen from New Jersey felt much lik Ciarlick and said ''Thank God I' out!"

Some first year students foun themselves feeling differently Ellen Briant, a resident of Wood crest shared the excitement tha Kinker and Ciarlick felt, but als said she was "sad to see my fami ly leaving."

Burt said "I'm very excited, jus to be here, not knowing what w· happen and just waiting to se what comes up.'

A new class had arrived and " new journey" had begun.