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Emmanuel News

campus news

February/March 2012

Men’s Volleyball Team Hosts First-Ever Alumni Game greeted alumni with a team dinner in the Emmanuel dining hall followed by the match. After the contest, many of the alumni were able to head off campus to catch up and reminisce about their glory days with Saints Head Coach Adam Martel.

Prior to the start of the 2012 season, the Emmanuel men’s volleyball team welcomed back 16 alumni of the program for the first-ever alumni volleyball game held January 20th in the Jean Yawkey Center gymnasium.

The current Saints, ranked 15th in the country, were able to take care of business against some of their former teammates with a convincing 3-0 (2515, 25-13, 25-22) victory.

In the opening set, the squads traded points early on before the youngsters took control behind a strong service game from setter Nick Updike ’13 and outside hitter Ashanti Jackson ’15, powering them to a 25-15 win.

The alumni were able to take an early lead in the second frame, going ahead 2-1 before the Saints rolled off nine consecutive points behind solid middle play from Zachary Caron ’13 and Cameron Palmer ’15 en route to the

Sixteen former men’s volleyball players returned to campus to take on the current Saints team in the program’s first alumni game.

25-13 win to take the 2-0 lead in the match.

After two sets of shaking off the rust, the alumni were able to give the Saints their best effort in the third set and

even held a late 21-20 lead in the frame before they fell to the current squad, 25-22.

The entire night was a huge success as the current players welcomed and

Pat Bemis, Class of 2006 Trevor Blanchet, Class of 2007 Warren Bowman, Class of 2005 Dan Campagna, Class of 2007 Jake DeLuise, Class of 2011 Brian Forsman, Class of 2005 Scott Holmes, Class of 2005 Pat Lawless, Class of 2006 Mike Mazur, Class of 2005 Sean O’Connor, Class of 2011 Tyson Rietz, Class of 2011 Matt Salvi, Class of 2011 Eric Snyder, Assistant Coach, 2011 Jim Sutherland, Class of 2011 Michael Townsend, Class of 2010 Ricky Wong, Class of 2007 Steve Yates, Class of 2006

India’s Ambassador to U.S. Speaks at Wyant Lecture Series Nirupama Rao, current ambassador of India to the United States, discussed “India’s Role in the Changing Global Landscape in the 21st Century” at the February 15th Wyant Lecture held in the Janet M. Daley Library Lecture Hall. During her talk, Rao addressed the country’s dramatic economic growth, new challenges and its place within the world order.

Rao defined India’s core values as “the embrace of a diversity of opinions and outlook, the extraordinary mix of different religions and cultural

development,” while “our respect for democratic traditions and multi-party democracy makes us very much like the United States.”

Nirupama Rao

practices, profusion of languages, variations of climate and topography, and differences in levels of economic

In a time of geopolitical, economic and demographic change in the world, due to the financial crisis that began in 2008 and the economic center of gravity shifting to the Indo-Pacific region, it is even more important for India to embrace these values, Rao said.

India’s sustained economic growth in the last two decades has led to a trans-

However, Rao noted that there are still several developmental challenges, such as the need to create modern infrastructure and manufacturing capacities, improve agricultural productivity, ensure health, education and the skill development of their population, and secure sustainable sources of energy to fuel growth. To address their shortfall in meeting energy requirements, India is working on a range of clean energy options, including solar energy, wind energy, nuclear energy and clean coal technology.

As India’s economic growth boosts its influence in the international arena, the country remains conscious that with this comes ever-increasing responsibility and the realization that it will be called upon increasingly to deploy its potential in the interest of global peace and development, Rao said.

“One out of every six persons on our planet is Indian,” Rao said. “If we are able to successfully tackle the developmental challenges and fulfill the priorities we have set, the beneficial impact of that would register globally.

“For the foreseeable future, our foremost national task is to ensure sustained economic growth so that we can provide opportunities to all our citizens to realize their full potential.

Our primary concern is to ensure a peaceful periphery and good relations with our neighbors. Our geography as

Left to right: Simon Pilecki ’14, Ambassador of India to the United States Nirupama Rao, Michael Vitagliano ’12, Wyant Professor and Professor of Political Science Lenore Martin, Katelyn Boudreau ’14 and Associate Professor of Political Science Petros Vamvakas.

a subcontinent must be transformed, as it has been said recently, into a geography of hope.”

Rao noted that the future of Afghanistan and Pakistan will have an effect on the future of South Asia’s people and therefore, India has a stake in their stability and progress. India remains committed to Afghanistan’s development through the IndiaAfghanistan Strategic Partnership Agreement of 2011 and their efforts to improve its connectivity with the world as they build a stable democratic country.

In regard to China, India’s largest trading partner, Rao acknowledged challenges in their relationship as well as enormous opportunities for a mutually beneficial partnership at the bilateral and global levels.

India’s destiny is defined by its maritime interests, Rao said, as there is increasing global attention on security in the Indian Ocean, which is central to India’s economy, but vulnerable to both natural disasters and piracy.

“We in India want to see the Indian Ocean region develop into a zone of cooperation rather than of competition and domination,” Rao said.

India also has stakes in the peace and stability of the Middle East. The area is home to more than six million Indians and accounts for more than two-thirds of their petroleum imports. Despite differences in tactical approaches, there is an agreement on the long-term objective that people’s aspirations in these countries must be respected, Rao said. Specifically addressing Iran, which supplies India with approximately 10 percent of its oil, Rao said that the country has the right to utilize nuclear energy, but that it has certain international obligations it must comply with, “fully and transparently.”

Lastly, Rao addressed India’s relationship with the United States, which is built on shared values, converging interests and the fundamental belief that the countries have mutually beneficial stakes in each other’s success.

“I have no doubt that our strategic partnership will intensify futher,” she said.

Rao concluded that “India will continue to be a responsible member of the international community and will play its legitimate role on the

Rao became ambassador of India to the United States in September 2011.

In a diplomatic career spanning three decades, she has served in various world capitals, including Washington D.C., Beijing and Moscow. Rao joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1973 after completion of her university studies with an M.A. in English literature.

She acquired extensive experience in India-China relations, serving in the East Asia Division of the Ministry at policy-level capacities for several years.

She later served as India’s first woman ambassador to China from 2006 to 2009.

Previously, she served as ambassador to Peru, Bolivia and Sri Lanka, where she was India’s first woman high commissioner. In 2001, she was designated as spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, the first woman Indian Foreign Service officer to hold this post.

The Wyant Lecture Series features speakers in the humanities, history and the arts. This endowed professorship was established by the late Louise Doherty Wyant ’63 and her husband, Dr. James Wyant, in honor of Sister Anne Cyril Delaney, SND. Sister Anne Cyril was a professor of English at Emmanuel for 26 years. Through her teaching and her intellectual breadth, Sister Anne Cyril exemplified the values and relevance of the humanities and had a profound influence on generations of students.

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Each year, a significant event in the life of the College is Founders’ Day, commemorating the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur by St. Julie Billiart and the founding of Emmanuel. On February 2nd, President Sister Janet Eisner, SND offered the keynote address at the 2012 celebration, the 20th annual, which also featured reflections by current students about a campus that values open expression of the goodness of God through words, service and actions toward others.

global stage, a role that is commensurate with its size, its growing economic strength, its proven capacity to manage its enormous diversity within a democratic polity, and its lasting contributions to global peace and security.”

median age in India is just over 25 and their pool of skilled workers continues to grow as more than three million graduates and 300,000 engineers join the workforce annually.

Another advantage is the country’s population of young people. The

Emmanuel Marks 20th Annual Founders’ Day

India’s Ambassador to U.S. Speaks at Wyant Lecture Series CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

formation in the world’s largest democracy. The country has been able to keep the adverse impacts of the global slowdown to the minimum and credits its resilience to the fact that the bulk of India’s GDP is domesticdemand driven. The rise of a large middle class of around 300 million people is fueling this domestic consumption, which accounts for more than 60% of the GDP.

Sister Janet presented on the history and guiding principles of the SNDs, including details about the lives of the order’s founders, St. Julie Billiart and Françoise Blin de Bourdon. She discussed how the two women from different backgrounds – St. Julie was a daughter of a shopkeeper while Francoise was a member of the French aristocracy – were drawn to each other; how their witnessing firsthand the terror of the French Revolution and resulting lack of education and knowledge of faith of young people guided them in initiating a religious congregation that would travel around the world with the mission of “making known God’s goodness” and “educating for life.”

The women’s basketball team won the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship on February 25th for the program’s 14th overall title and sixth straight. The win earned the Saints an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament.

A League of Their Own Saints Win GNAC Championship; Earn Spot in NCAA Tourney’s Sweet Sixteen The Emmanuel College women’s basketball team won its sixth-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference title with a 68-57 victory over Saint Joseph’s College (ME) on February 25th in the Jean Yawkey Center. The Saints went undefeated in GNAC play for the second consecutive year to claim the program’s 14th overall conference championship.

With the win, the women’s team received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament. The Saints defeated Hartwick College and Rhode Island College in the first and second rounds to advance to the “Sweet Sixteen.”

For more, visit www.goecsaints.com.

In a time of political and social unrest as well as religious persecution, St. Julie and Françoise proved to be women of great strength and vision.

Withstanding criticism from the bishop CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

IN THIS ISSUE

Emmanuel Hosts City’s Boston R.O.C.K. It!!!

Program

Men’s Volleyball Hosts First Annual Alumni Game

2 Students, Staff Take Part in Alternative Spring Break

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campus news

campus news

Emmanuel Hosts City’s Boston R.O.C.K. It!!! Launch into Summer Program

Students, Staff Volunteer Around U.S. as Part of Alternative Spring Break

Boston families came to campus on February 22nd during school vacation week as part of the city’s “Boston R.O.C.K. It!!! Launch into Summer” program, sponsored by Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF). The event is one of a number of city-sponsored activities for families during the week.

mascot Halo. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis was also on hand to thank the families for attending the event. Emmanuel student Kayla Flaherty ’15, a nationally ranked baton twirler, performed during the event while members of the Saints athletic teams were on hand to assist the children with various activities.

Nearly 800 children and parents came out to the Jean Yawkey Center gymnasium for the two-hour program, which featured information on summer jobs and activities, recreational activities, youth performances, raffles and special guests such as Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster and Emmanuel’s

BCYF offers a range of affordable programs including preschool, schoolaged & adult education, family literacy, youth employment, violence prevention & intervention, senior activities, recreation and enrichment. BCYF’s 35 facilities are located throughout Boston.

More than 50 members of the Emmanuel community participated in this year’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program, which sent groups of students and staff to service sites in Arizona, West Virginia, Louisiana, as well as around Boston during the week of March 4th. Emmanuel hosted its annual Alternative Spring Break Commissioning in the College’s Chapel on March 1st, recognizing this year’s participants.

Boston Red Sox mascot Wally took part in the “Boston R.O.C.K. It!!! Launch into Summer” program held on campus February 22nd.

Emmanuel Participating in National Survey of Student Engagement Emmanuel is once again participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), an initiative aimed toward helping U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities better assess and improve undergraduate education and the student experience. Beginning February 8th, freshman and senior students were contacted and invited to complete the survey.

Kirwan ’12

Kirwan ’12 Named Academic All-District Emmanuel College senior Meghan Kirwan was named a 1st Team Capital One Academic All-District selection in early February.

Kirwan, a captain of the Saints women’s basketball team, possesses a 3.68 cumulative grade point average, while majoring in elementary education at Emmanuel. She is one of just five women’s basketball players from New England to receive 1st Team Academic All-District honors.

The 2012 Capital One Academic All-District women’s basketball teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, were released on February 2nd and recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.

The NSSE is an important way to gain insight on the quality of the education occurring on campuses around the country. Data collected through the survey is used to confirm “good practices” in undergraduate education and desired outcomes for students. Last year, more than 2 million students were invited to participate in the survey and report on their learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. Previously, 95% of all U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities participated.

At Emmanuel, the results of the NSSE inform the work of many departments and offices on campus and are viewed as a vital resource. Emmanuel has participated in the survey since 2004.

Previous results have had an immense

impact on life at the College, resulting in an increase in student research opportunities to enhanced facilities, among other improvements.

“The National Survey of Student Engagement provides members of Emmanuel’s administration with information directly from students to help us improve our curriculum and general campus life,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Joyce De Leo. “The results provide a valuable service to Emmanuel. The greater the level of participation from our students, the greater the impact it has on our campus.”

As part of the survey, students are asked to report on different aspects of their student experience. Survey topics include the quality and nature of student-faculty interaction, the level of academic challenge, and presence of active and collaborative learning.

The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participating colleges and universities will continue to compile data throughout the spring 2012 semester. NSSE will publicize aggregate results in its annual results report.

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Emmanuel News FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

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The Asian Student Association invited the Emmanuel community to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a performance of Lion Dancers, food and activities on February 7th in the Jean Yawkey Center.

“We are thrilled to have such excitement and interest in Alternative Spring Break each year,” said Associate Director of Community Service and Service Learning Deirdre BradleyTurner. “Our students work hard for the week at their various sites serving those in need and learning more about homelessness, extreme poverty, environmental concerns and immigration. Emmanuel’s long history of service is carried on each year through our students’ admirable dedication to service.”

For the 10th-straight year, Emmanuel volunteers traveled to Phoenix, Ariz., to assist at Andre House and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Andre House is a nonprofit organization, sponsored by the priests and brothers of Holy Cross from the University of Notre Dame, that serves the poor and homeless.

Students worked directly with the

enrichment, achievement, art, music and evening youth programs, and provided service at the Catholic Neighborhood Center, a soup kitchen next to the Chapel.

Alternative Spring Break participants were recognized during a commissioning ceremony on March 1st in the College Chapel. Above, the group that traveled to New Orleans, LA.

“Emmanuel’s long history of service is carried on each year through out students’ admirable dedication to service.”

– Associate Director of Community Service and

Service Learning Deirdre Bradley-Turner

Andre House staff doing office work, laundry, clothes sorting and distribution and food preparation and service.

With the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, Emmanuel volunteers spent the week performing several different tasks, including: food preparation and service, working in their thrift stores and inventory and

containerizing in their food bank.

The group traveling to West Virginia stayed and worked with the staff of the Laughlin Memorial Chapel, located in the urban core of Wheeling.

Volunteers helped in the renovation of deteriorating housing within the town, participated in the Chapel’s daily afterschool program featuring academic

Emmanuel once again sent volunteers to New Orleans, Louisiana, after a one-year hiatus, having sent a group to Eagle Butte, South Dakota, last year.

The Emmanuel volunteers assisted with the St. Bernard Project (SBP), an award-winning rebuilding, nonprofit organization whose mission is to remove physical, mental and emotional barriers for vulnerable families, senior citizens and disabled residents who are struggling to recover from the devastation and trauma caused by Hurricane Katrina. The volunteers worked “in the field” around the city, helping to rebuild, while also providing homeowners with support and encouragement during the emotional rebuilding process.

Additionally, Emmanuel hosted a Boston ASB group in collaboration with the Colleges of the Fenway. The Boston group lived in the Jean Yawkey Center for the week and served at various sites in the city with a focus on children in poverty, including Boston Catholic Charities Nazareth Residence for Mothers and Children and Cradles to Crayons.

SND Founders Celebrated, 1804 Society Comissioned During Founders’ Week students to promote service to others and provides distinguished ambassadors of Emmanuel College to the campus and the wider community.

Members of the society, Emily Shea ’14 and Jenny Konecnik ’14, offered remarks during the Founders’ Day celebration, as did Student Government Association President Jordan Coulombe ’12.

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of Amiens, France, who sought to keep their congregation local, they moved to Belgium and became expatriates, accepting an invitation from the bishop of Namur in order to carry out their mission. Recognizing the importance of their task, St. Julie asked Francoise to record the annals of events, resulting in notes, letters and copies of St. Julie’s conferences that still exist today; allowing Sisters of Notre Dame to tell the story of the founders “in their own words.”

Sister Janet offered her favorite account of St. Julie in the form a letter written just five months before her death in 1816. At the time, St. Julie was being barraged with requests to open new schools, all the while struggling with finding the time to prepare teachers and seek their assistance to open the new buildings. It was then she wrote, “Trust in the good God. It is his work that is the only prayer I can say: ‘My God, it is your work! With this I pass through all difficulties.’”

“In my own experience I have found consolation in that, as I breathe ‘my God, it is your work!’,” said Sister Janet, “and what amazing work it is to be engaged in the greatest work on earth, education.

“The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur aim is to express in our time, as Julie

Emily Shea ’14, Jordan Coulombe ’12, President Sister Janet Eisner, SND and Jenny Konecnik ’14.

did in hers, that God is good,” she said. “We search anew in each time and place for ways to spread the Gospel and to take our stand with the poor of the earth. We value the focus on education in our tradition and give special attention to the educational dimension of our mission.”

The Founders’ Day tradition, which began as a one-day celebration two decades ago, expanded into a weeklong series of events in 2009.

Sponsored by Emmanuel’s Center for Mission and Spirituality, Founders’ Week was held January 29th through February 4th and included evening prayer services; discussions; community service opportunities for students, faculty and staff working directly with the Sisters of Notre Dame

in Boston; and the screening of the award-winning documentary, “They Killed Sister Dorothy,” about the life and murder of Sister Dorothy Stang, SND and her work on behalf of the indigenous people of Brazil and the Amazon rainforest. The Class of 2011 also marked “100 Days: A Founders’ Day Celebration,” which reinstated the tradition of ringing the Chapel bells 100 times in recognition of the number of days the seniors have left until graduation.

During the week, the Center for Mission and Spirituality commissioned the students, or members, of a new leadership organization, 1804 Society, named in honor of the founding year of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. The organization encourages

Coulombe spoke about his experience of mission through academics, student life and service, highlighting his participation in the New Student Day of Service and Alternative Spring Break, during which he served in Wheeling, West Virginia, and Eagle Butte, South Dakota, witnessing extreme poverty. He spoke of his appreciation for the education he has received at Emmanuel, a place he believes truly embodies the mission of its founders.

“At Emmanuel, I’ve learned that education is an extremely powerful tool – a tool to empower those who have faced adversity, a tool to combat poverty, a tool to spread love and compassion,” he said.

“When I look at my Emmanuel experience, I see that the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame and the vision of St. Julie still permeates this campus and beyond.”

Emmanuel News FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012

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