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Emmanuel News

campus news

February 2011

GPP Graduate Has Capstone Project Implemented at Harvard University

Left to right: Professor of Philosophy/Department Chair Dr. Thomas Wall, Walter Stepanenko ’11, Emmanuel College President Sr. Janet Eisner, SND, Christine Kourkoulis ’11, Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies and The Director of the Center for Mission and Spirituality Sr. Mary Johnson, SND, and Associate Professor of Religious Studies/Department Chair Reverend Thomas Leclerc, MS.

Catholic Colleges Today Celebrated at Founders’ Day CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

Sr. Janet referenced that it was Newman’s forward-thinking approach that eventually guided the establishment of Catholic colleges and universities. Today there are more than 220 Catholic colleges and universities in the United States, from small liberal arts colleges to research universities both in rural and in urban areas. In total, they enroll over 800,000 students across the country. These institutions include 28 law schools, five medical schools and 16 doctoral programs in theology.

Fittingly, the significance behind the College’s recent decision to introduce

a new Department of Theology and Religious Studies (formerly Religious Studies) and reintroduce the major in philosophy would not have been lost on Newman, who viewed the study of these disciplines as essential to a Catholic liberal arts education and “part of the whole truth.”

Immediately following Sr. Janet’s remarks, Sr. Mary Johnson, SND, professor of sociology and religious studies and the director of the Center for Mission and Spirituality, moderated a panel (seen above) that discussed the importance of these initiatives at Emmanuel.

New Service Club Focuses on Giving Back to LMA CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO

willing to reach out to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), but connect such opportunities with their academic interests as well.

“It has proven a very attractive service opportunity to science majors as we are in the hospital environment, which was not my initial intention, but it has grown from that,” he said. “For pre-med students specifically this can be a great stepping stone into working with Children’s Hospital Boston. The goal is to get everyone to the inn, but if interest continues to grow we may have to consider additional locations in the future.”

With such sizeable interest, the greatest challenge for Oxsalida so far is finding ways to keep all members engaged and involved. With only eight or nine students able to travel to the inn each visit, the group plans events in which club members and all members of the Emmanuel community can participate.

In November, the club organized an umbrella drive for the Yawkey Family Inn, which resulted in donations from students, parents and the Class of 1963.

In December, Saints Giving Back and the 36-Hour Club co-sponsored a weeklong Christmas card-making event during which members of the Emmanuel community created cards to send to the families at the inn. The groups set up shop in the Jean Yawkey Center’s Maureen Murphy Wilkens Atrium and welcomed all those interested to stop by and send some holiday cheer.

On a campus where giving back is so prominent, interest was far from being a concern.

“Service is just part of the culture at Emmanuel,” said Oxsalida. “It is hard to find someone on campus who doesn’t participate in service. Saints Giving Back gives everyone options to be involved if it is something they are interested in and they can be involved whenever they have the time. We are here to assist the children and families that seek aid at Children’s Hospital and we are here to help them anyway we can.”

For more information about Saints Giving Back, contact Jimmy Oxsalida at oxsalja@emmanuel.edu.

Graduate and Professional Programs student Liz Foote recently completed the requirements for a Master of Science in management with specialization in research administration. Her final research project, which served as the capstone for her master’s degree, was presented to and has since been put into action by her employer, the chemistry and chemical biology (CCB) department at Harvard University.

Foote’s project focused on improving training for sponsored research administrators in the CCB. The project goals were to identify why attendance was low at monthly training meetings for research administrators, make recommendations to reduce any existing barriers, and increase attendance at monthly training meetings.

“I wanted to focus on something that was of interest to me professionally and would have a positive impact on the department,” she said.

From the very beginning, the senior management team of the CCB department was supportive of Foote’s research. At work, Foote communicated her intentions for the master’s degree capstone project and its potential usability in the workplace.

She kept management informed of her academic goals and research progress along the way. They were very interested in seeing the survey results because they also recognized that there was a need for change and improvement to the training for sponsored research administrators.

“I was delighted when I heard that Liz wanted to focus her thesis project on our department,” said Allen Alloise, Ph.D., director of laboratories and codirector of graduate studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. “The study was well-crafted and addressed a very real need within the CCB department. The finished work was wonderfully executed and is serving as a catalyst for changing the way that communication and education

takes place among our laboratory and research administrators.”

Foote was one of the first students to complete the Master of Science in management with specialization in research administration at Emmanuel College. The capstone project in which she researched the CCB is a part of the final degree requirements and was designed to demonstrate how students synthesize the graduate-level competencies from the 36-credit degree program.

New Academic Offerings for 2011-2012 Announced Emmanuel College is pleased to introduce a new Department of Theology and Religious Studies, in addition to reinstating the major in philosophy for the 2011-2012 academic year. These new offerings will further strengthen the existing programs, enabling students to explore and examine academic disciplines rooted deeply in the mission and tradition of Emmanuel as a Catholic liberal arts and sciences college.

The pre-existing religious studies department was renamed to more accurately reflect Emmanuel’s offerings

and breadth of faculty expertise. Over the last few years, the department undertook a careful, methodical and comprehensive review of its offerings in an effort to strategically strengthen and introduce a major in theology and religious studies. Since 2005, four new, full-time faculty members have been hired, allowing the department to cover all the areas that define the discipline.

“Religious studies is an indispensable part of the liberal arts curriculum at religious and secular institutions alike, and should be a defining part of the

curriculum at a Catholic institution,” said Associate Professor of Religious Studies/Department Chair Reverend Thomas Leclerc, M.S. “A major in the field is a public recognition of that reality and signals Emmanuel College’s commitment to both its liberal arts mission and its Catholic identity.”

The philosophy major, which existed at the College decades ago, has garnered mounting interest from current and prospective students in recent years. According to Chair of the Philosophy Department Dr. Thomas Wall, the philosophy major will not

“I was happy that the hard work I put into the project would benefit my colleagues as we work together to make a positive impact on the sponsored research community and on the faculty members’ grants and contracts in the Department of Chemistry. So often when you work on an academic project like this, it ends once you hand in the assignment,” said Foote. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to take this research to the next level and actually impact change in the department. It is also rewarding for the people who participated in the research by responding to a survey or answering questions in an interview, to see the results and understand how their participation will impact change.”

When asked about the use of student research in the workplace, Dean of Graduate and Professional Programs Dr. Judith Marley shared that “our graduate programs are relevant. When our students apply their learning in the workplace, it is significant to their career path. Accomplishments of students like Liz are effectively coupled with national recognition for this curriculum. Earlier this year, Emmanuel received a national Outreach and Engagement Community of Practice Award from the University Continuing and Professional Education Association for excellence in Employer and Association Partnerships in Research Administration. The accomplishments of our students is a concrete demonstration of this impact.”

only enrich the lives and careers of Emmanuel students, but is central to them becoming critical thinkers and ethical decision-makers.

“In addition to its inherent value, philosophy has practical value that counts heavily toward career preparation,” said Dr. Wall. “Because of the thinking skills they develop, successful philosophy majors are extremely well prepared for today’s most interesting careers.”

For more information, visit www.emmanuel.edu.

Catholic Colleges Today Celebrated at Founders’ Day Emmanuel President Sister Janet Eisner, SND invited members of the college community to reflect upon the history and current state of Catholic higher education in America during the 19th annual Founders’ Day celebration on February 3rd. The event also included a panel discussion on the College’s programs in Theology & Religious Studies and Philosophy.

Each year on Founders’ Day, the Emmanuel community reflects upon the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame by St. Julie Billiart and the founding of the college in 1919.

Sponsored by the Center for Mission and Spirituality, Founders’ Day is part of a weeklong celebration that includes prayer services, discussions and local community service opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

Back row: Keoni Rabaino ’11, Tyson Reitz ’11, Cam Todd ’11, Curtis Abram ’11, Front row: Nick Updike ’13 and Jim Sutherland ’11.

Westerners of Men’s Volleyball Team Rush East Seeking (Blue and) Gold The California Gold Rush of 1849 featured tens of thousands of people flocking to California to seek their fortunes mining gold. It was the largest migration in the United States. Since the Emmanuel men’s volleyball program’s inception in 2002, the Saints have profited from their own band of “forty-niners.”

A nationwide recruitment effort resulted in a wealth of men’s volleyball players coming East to seek the “gold” of an Emmanuel education. The Saints men’s volleyball program has capitalized on this eastern migration, as Emmanuel boasted an unprecedented

In her address titled “The Vibrant Mission of Catholic Colleges Today,” Sr. Janet credited the philosophical basis for founding a Catholic college to 19th century Roman Catholic cardinal and author, John Henry Newman, beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in September 2010. Newman viewed the study of theology as essential to a liberal arts education and defined a Catholic college as “a place in which the intellect may safely range and speculate; sure to find its equal in some antagonist activity, and its judge in the tribunal of truth.”

27-win season in 2010 and is currently ranked among the nation’s Top 15 Division III teams.

With 17 players on the Emmanuel squad this year and 13 of them hailing from outside Massachusetts, the Saints are fortunate to have six players with hometowns west of the Mississippi River, including five individuals from the “Golden State” of California. The six westerners include: Curtis Abram ’11 (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), Cam Todd ’11 (Los Angeles, Calif.), Tyson Rietz ’11 (Granite Bay, Calif.), Nick Updike ’13 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

IN THIS ISSUE

Wyant Lecture Features Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace

Connect to Our Social Networks

2 New Lecture Series Honors McLaughlin Hakim ’70

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campus news

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Wyant Lecture Features Discussion by Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace Everett Mendelsohn, Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Harvard University.

The spring 2011 Wyant Lecture Series featured a panel discussion with The Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace on February 8th in the Janet M. Daley Library Lecture Hall. Panelists discussed issues relating to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Members of the Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace coauthored the book “Israel and Palestine - Two States for Two Peoples: If Not Now, When?,” published online by the Foreign Policy Association in 2010. The book seeks to explain the most salient issues of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute and to suggest policy options for addressing them. The book covers the refugee issue, settlements and borders, Jerusalem and security. All of the members of the study group believe that a two-state solution is in the best interest of the Israelis, Palestinians and the United States.

Augustus Richard Norton, a Professor in the Departments of International Relations and Anthropology at Boston University, and Visiting Professor in the Politics of the Middle East at the University of Oxford.

Members of the Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace

The Boston Study Group on Middle East Peace includes: Alan Berger, an editorial writer at The Boston Globe,who has been writing about the dispute since 1982.

Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard University.

Herbert C. Kelman, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Emeritus, and co-chair of the Middle East Seminar at Harvard University.

Lenore G. Martin, Wyant Professor and Professor of Political Science at Emmanuel and co-chair of the Middle East Seminar at Harvard University.

Henry Steiner, Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor Emeritus at Harvard Law School, who founded the School’s Human Rights Program and directed it for 21 years.

Stephen M. Walt, Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

To read more about the group visit www.emmanuel.edu.

New Service Club Focuses on Giving Back to LMA During a presentation of Emmanuel’s community service opportunities last spring, Jimmy Oxsalida ’12 felt there was something missing. Yet with so many options, he couldn’t seem to put his finger on it.

“As I started to put the pieces together I thought, ‘we are so close to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area (LMA), what about putting our backyard and community service together?’” he said.

And thus was born “Saints Giving Back.”

New this fall, the student group partners with Children’s Hospital Boston to provide weekly service at the hospital’s Yawkey Family Inn, a cozy accommodation for out-of-town patients’ families, many of which come from around the globe seeking

the hospital’s treatments and services.

Each week, Emmanuel students travel to the inn, located just a few blocks from campus, to cook meals for visiting families, play games with children and ease their concerns during such stressful times.

“It is a nice place for families to be while their child is in the hospital,” said Oxsalida. “This is a more focused service opportunity in which we get to build relationships with these people and help them. It’s great for families to be able to look at the Yawkey Family Inn calendar, know we are coming and have that constant in their lives.”

The program is a big hit with the Emmanuel student body, as more than 80 students registered for the new club. Oxsalida was pleasantly surprised to see students not only CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Emmanuel News Editor & Layout

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pr@emmanuel.edu www.emmanuel.edu

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Emmanuel News FEBRUARY 2011

Visit the new Green Emmanuel pages to learn more about recycling on campus, new green initiatives, and Emmanuel’s participation in the 2011 Recyclemania Tournament, a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for colleges and universities to promote waste reduction on campus running through April 2nd.

SGA President Striving to Make 2010-2011 “Best It Can Be” When Student Government Association (SGA) President Caroline Dias ’11 took office last April, her top priorities were to represent the needs of the Emmanuel College student body as well as to raise the awareness of the organization around campus.

weekly meetings with administration and staff.

“When we hear ‘What is the SGA?’ we try to brainstorm on how to make ourselves more known throughout campus,” she said. “We want to make this year the best it can be.”

With each president, there are goals that he or she hopes to accomplish.

Dias’ objective is both bold and straightforward.

For Dias, that has meant becoming a more visible, interactive leader on campus, consistently meeting with club organizations and administrative offices. While her responsibilities are much greater this year, Dias is far from new to the role of leader on campus.

During her freshman and sophomore years, she served as vice president of her class. Junior year, she was appointed executive vice president of club relations. Dias has also been a student representative on the curriculum committee and bookstore advisory committee. Now, as SGA president, she is more involved in all aspects of the organization, from class traditions and finances, to public relations and

“I have always loved knowing what is going on around campus and helping to make changes to all aspects of the Emmanuel community.”

“Personally I want to see that this year is filled with unforgettable events because it is my last year here at Emmanuel,” she said. “We have already had spectacular events such as the State Radio concert hosted by Ill Beatz, and just recently we hosted a flag football game between the classes, which the senior class won in a final game against the sophomores. We hope to continue to host such successful events throughout the rest of the academic year.”

The SGA hosts weekly meetings every Tuesday during the academic year at 12:15 p.m. The SGA office is located in Marian Hall next to the College’s bookstore. All students are welcome to attend.

New Lecture Series Honors McLaughlin Hakim ’70 her memory, Dr. Hakim also established a chair in nephrology at McGill University as well as a named professorship within Vanderbilt University’s Department of Medicine, where he served as a full-time faculty member in the Division of Nephrology until 1996. He believes his late wife would be touched by the lecture series named in her honor at Emmanuel.

Emmanuel College is pleased to announce the establishment of the Catherine McLaughlin Hakim Lecture Series. Endowed by Dr. Raymond Hakim in honor of his late wife Catherine, a 1970 Emmanuel graduate, the lecture series is sponsored by the Department of Sociology and focuses on issues within sociology, social justice and social policy on the local, national and international levels.

“Catherine always had fond memories of Emmanuel College,” said Dr. Hakim. “We thought it would be great to commemorate her memory and the memories she had of Emmanuel by establishing a lecture series in her honor in an area she loved.”

A sociology major at Emmanuel, McLaughlin Hakim studied under longtime sociology professor Sister Marie Augusta Neal, SND, who left an indelible mark on her student experience. Despite moving to Montreal upon her husband’s acceptance to medical school at McGill University after only two years of study, McLaughlin Hakim maintained a strong desire to return to the

Catherine McLaughlin Hakim ’70

College to finish her education. She got her wish a few years later when Dr. Hakim was offered a fellowship at neighboring Brigham and Women’s Hospital, allowing the couple to return to the Boston area.

“She loved Emmanuel, especially Sister Marie Augusta Neal,” said her sister Ann McLaughlin Tuite ’64. “She always felt she was supported and encouraged and was always interested in finishing her degree.”

Catherine passed away in 1992 after a battle with metastatic breast cancer. In

“She had grace, she was a wonderful wife and a wonderful woman,” said Hakim of Catherine. “She continued to maintain relationships with friends she met at Emmanuel throughout her life.”

The first installment of the Catherine McLaughlin Hakim Lecture Series will be held on March 31st at 4:30 p.m.

Mary C. Waters, the M.E. Zukerman Professor of Sociology and former chair of the Sociology Department at Harvard University, will present the inaugural address, entitled, “Five Years After Hurricane Katrina: What ‘Recovery’ Looks Like for Survivors.”

The lecture will be held in the Janet M. Daley Library Lecture Hall.

Westerners of Men’s Volleyball Team Rush East Seeking (Blue and) Gold CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

(Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Jim Sutherland ’11 (Concord, Calif.) and Keoni Rabaino ’11 (Tucson, Ariz.).

These six individuals were a part of Emmanuel’s record-setting team in 2010, which made the program’s third appearance in the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Tournament. The 2010 squad was ranked amongst the nation’s Top 15 for several weeks during the season and Emmanuel advanced to the GNAC Finals for the third-consecutive year.

So, why play volleyball at a small college 3,000 plus miles from home?

For these young men the answer is simple. It’s just the right combination.

Emmanuel has the community-feel of a small college, combined with the opportunity to live in a big city, as well as great academics and extraordinary volleyball. The mix makes Emmanuel an incomparable fit for these students and allows their collegiate experience to be nothing short of special.

“The atmosphere within the city is unlike anything else I have experienced,” said Sutherland. “By atmosphere I mean two things, the culture created by the abundance of sports-crazed fans and the high level of academic drive and intellect.”

“Just having such a diverse city of personalities, people, and history really makes the whole experience worth it,” noted Todd.

“We’re proud of the recruiting network that we’ve built in both northern and southern California and are looking forward to continue recruiting well from those areas.”

– Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Adam Martel “There is always something to do here, never a moment without action,” said Updike, whose sister also ventured east, choosing to play her collegiate volleyball at nearby Tufts University.

When asked what they miss most about the West, in addition to their families, the overwhelming response factored in the weather. They love Boston, but miss the sand, sun and surf of the Pacific. “We don’t really have seasons back home, but it is nice being able to experience them all here,” said Updike.

Emmanuel’s first-year Head Coach Adam Martel, who recently returned from a recruiting trip in Northern California, plans to continue to concentrate a great deal of his recruiting efforts in the western part of the country.

“Volleyball has been part of California’s culture for generations and subsequently, athletes from California seem to start playing earlier, giving them an advantage. We’re proud of the recruiting network that we’ve

built in both northern and southern California and are looking forward to continue recruiting well from those areas.”

The NCAA’s recent decision to approve a Division III Championship in Men’s Volleyball is cause for even more excitement. Based on this landmark January 15th decision, the Saints will be among the 57 programs that now have a chance to compete for a national championship in 2012.

“The NCAA’s decision to allow a Division III Championship in Men’s Volleyball is monumental,” said Martel. “It’s really a tribute to the hard work of the players, coaches and administrators who have spent countless hours advocating for our sport.”

When Martel’s six west coast players were asked where they plan to live upon graduation from Emmanuel, some said they hope to stay in Boston, while others will definitely head back west. Either way, they feel as though their transcontinental journey was absolutely worth it.

New Emmanuel Portal in the Works for Fall 2011 The College is in the process of launching its new Portal for the fall 2011. The revamped Intranet and internal communication system will be complete with a new look and features – not to mention a new name created by an Emmanuel student and voted upon by the student body.

The new Portal will feature a userfriendlier layout as well as helpful how-to tips and videos for using the system. Users will also be able to store and collaborate on documents, using a special webversion of the Microsoft Office Suite, which will be accessible from anywhere.

“We’ve been receiving great feedback from the Emmanuel College community about what they want to see in the revamped Portal and are continuing the effort with these contests and upcoming survey,” said Director of Information Technology Carlos Varum. “The goal of these revisions is to create a central space for the community to collaborate on projects, promote clubs and activities, effectively receive communications about campus happenings and easily gain access to needed information and applications. Together with the Office of Marketing Communications, we are dedicated to making this a success and really giving the community a sense of ownership with this revamp.”

Earlier this month, the College announced a contest for naming the new Portal. Students were asked to submit their suggestions via the Portal with the top three entries being selected by students and staff for official voting. The winner, to be announced on March 3rd, will also take home an iPod Touch.

In addition to suggesting a new name, students will also have the opportunity to develop the Portal’s new logo. The contest will run from March 14th through April 11th with the top three submissions also being voted upon by Emmanuel students.

“These contests give Emmanuel students the chance to put what they learn in their graphic design, marketing and psychology classes into practice, and be able to leave a lasting stamp on a technology resource that the entire community uses, every day,” said Director of Web Communications Shauna Delano.

Emmanuel News FEBRUARY 2011

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