2 minute read
Contemplata - Faculty Perspective: Service
Service: A Hallmark of an ODU Education for Over a Century
Advertisement
By John Mascazine, Ph.D. ’82, associate professor of Education & Virginia McCormack, Ed.D., professor of Education
These are words closely associated with students, alumni, faculty and staff at Ohio Dominican University. Service is a natural part of our Dominican identity and charism, as it permeates salient and hidden ways in which our community exemplifies the four Dominican pillars: prayer, study, community, and ministry.
An ODU student picks up trash near Alum Creek in this undated photo.
Service, an extension of preaching in action, is what made St. Dominic and his followers somewhat unique. The Dominicans were among a new effort to go out and serve wherever the need arose. The accent on active service persuaded many to join the Dominican family, and even today, attracts individuals to join as Dominican Associates, including several ODU faculty and staff. The history, significance and impact of this Dominican tradition encourage and inspire the campus community to explore, grow and demonstrate a commitment to meet the challenges of the world today.
Members of the campus community volunteer at a food pantry in 1984.
Identifying, coordinating and promoting university-wide service opportunities truly takes a team. Fortunately, we have a wonderful campus community that enthusiastically shares their time, talents and passion throughout the year by participating in various projects and events, including serving meals at the YWCA Family Center; participating in social and creative events with Dominican Sisters of Peace who are in assisted living at the Mohun Health Care Center; and attending service mission trips abroad.
On campus, the Center for Dominican Studies hosts a series of lectures and panels that support that year’s CORE academic theme and help to highlight our service roles and responsibilities within the campus, local and global communities.
Off campus, faculty use their passion and knowledge to help make a difference in our community. An example of this outreach is their participation on advisory boards, such as on the Board of Trustees for St. Joseph’s Group Home, Inc., a nonprofit group that provides food, medical service, counseling, and services necessary for the care of women with intellectual disabilities.
Ohio Dominican hosts a blood drive in 1969.
Service opportunities and fidelity to commitment strengthen the Ohio Dominican University community by reminding us of the Dominican Motto: “laudare, benedicere, praedicare,” which translates to “to praise, to bless, to preach.” This motto inspires personal and social responsibility by expanding our efforts beyond ourselves and our comfortable surroundings.
