1216 | Serving the World with Purpose - Contents and Welcome

1216 | The Magazine of Ohio Dominican University

Serving the World with Purpose

Front cover: Alli Kern ’22 and her teammates on the women’s basketball team deliver Meals on Wheels to a client in April 2019.

contents

features

2 | Contemplata – Faculty Perspective Service: A Hallmark of an ODU Education for Over a Century Ohio Dominican’s commitment to service has always been about giving back while preparing students to live a life grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.

4 | A Commitment to Improving Our Community Whether it’s picking up knitting needles or a garden rake, the ODU community constantly searches for ways to make a difference.

6 | Changing Lives Around the World Every year, Panthers pack into vans and planes to help improve lives hundreds and thousands of miles away.

departments

7 | Embracing a Tradition of Giving with the Dominican Sisters of Peace

8 | Campus Happenings

10 | Alumni Profile: Becoming a Lifelong Learner and Giver

11 | A Partner in Service

12 | Student Point of View

Welcome

Dear ODU Alumni and Friends,

This issue of 1216 marks the one-year anniversary of the re-introduction of a University magazine that brings the voices of various members of our campus community and our talented Marketing and Public Relations staff to all of our alumnae/alumni and friends in Ohio, across the country and around the world. The positive feedback we have received indicates that it is a welcome dose of news and information about ODU, and I hope you are enjoying the publication.

Each issue of 1216 focuses on a central theme, permitting us to dive in-depth into a subject of interest to all who know Ohio Dominican and its mission. If you are an alumna or alumnus, then the focal point of this edition – service – will resonate with you. It is one of the four pillars of Dominican life (Prayer, Study, Community, and Service) and is woven into the fabric of our campus life: service to students, service to others, service to the community, and service to God.

Through the eyes of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners, you will read about the profound impact that is made by ODU’s commitment to service. Tackling societal issues from hunger and poverty to human trafficking and disaster relief, the Ohio Dominican community has established a reputation for showing up, rolling up our collective sleeves and working hard to help others. Our athletic teams and student organizations each have an adopted cause that makes service a priority along with their attention to academics, practice, competition, and the demands of student life.

Of course, the hoped-for result of this dedication by students to perform service during their college careers is to produce compassionate, well-rounded alumni who will make service an ongoing part of their lives. The world really is a better place because of Ohio Dominican University, as this issue of 1216 illustrates.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer, and I hope you will plan to visit campus soon.

Mark Cooper, Vice President Advancement and External Relations

Magazine Staff

Editor

Tom Brockman

Managing Editor

Mark Cooper

Design

Monica Martin

Contributors

Casey Konrad; Ryan Louallen ’20; John Mascazine, Ph.D. ’82; Virginia McCormack, Ed.D.; Brandee Norris ’06; Kelly (Litt) Parrett ’14; Sr. Diane Traffas, OP

1216 is published twice a year for alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff by Ohio Dominican University. The name “1216” represents both the founding year of the Dominican Order and ODU’s street address – a touchpoint for a publication that closely examines a particular topic or theme that is unique to each edition. It strives to engage readers, develop interest and provide a better understanding of how the University is helping students connect their passion with God’s purpose for their lives.

Mission Statement

As a Catholic liberal arts university in the Dominican tradition, Ohio Dominican University is guided in its educational mission by the Dominican motto: to contemplate truth and to share with others the fruits of this contemplation.

Ohio Dominican educates individuals committed to intellectual, spiritual and professional growth, who develop into lifelong learners, serving others in a global society. They in turn become ethical and effective leaders grounded in the pursuit of truth, justice and peace.

Ohio Dominican University was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Please send address changes and comments to alumni@ohiodominican.edu.