Monday Morning Update

September 29, 2008

Credit Crisis: As the President of Eastern Bank, the largest independent bank headquartered in Massachusetts, Robert Rivers '86 has his finger on the pulse of the economy. On Wednesday, October 8, the former finance major returns to campus to share his expertise on how the current crisis is impacting the economy in a free, public presentation in Alumni Hall at 7:00 p.m. A Visiting Committee on Business Administration member, Rivers will meet with faculty and students before the event. For more, contact cmcguinness@stonehill.edu.

Outstanding Alumnus: Tonight, the Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Rev. Hugh Cleary, C.S.C. '69, will receive the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Alumni Council President Mark Mulligan '98 in recognition of his achievements as a religious leader and as a scholar. Superior General of the Congregation since 1998, Fr. Cleary has brought first-class leadership to the 1,670 Holy Cross priests and brothers serving throughout the world. A former English major, Fr. Cleary is the 30th person to receive the distinguished award. For more, visit here.

Apostolic Symposium: On Saturday, close to 600 people gathered in the Sports Complex for a day-long conference on Apostolic Religious Life since Vatican II. The event brought together cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, brothers, sisters, and many members of the laity to explore the value of religious life, especially the issues of renewal and vocations. The large attendance indicates that there is deep desire within the Church, on the part of religious and the laity, for this kind of conversation and reflection.

Cardinal Rode: The keynote speaker at the symposium was Franc Cardinal Rode, C.M., who serves as the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The College was proud to have a major Vatican figure participate in the discussion on religious life. When the symposium concluded, President Mark Cregan, C.S.C. '78 presented Cardinal Rode with an honorary doctor of humanities degree for his nearly 50 years of service to the Church.

Honey Mushrooms: In August at Academic Convocation, Biology Professor Robert Peabody received the Louise Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College, which prompted us to ask -- how did the acclaimed teacher and researcher begin studying genetic variations of honey mushrooms? To learn how Peabody caught "mushroom fever" and about his approach to mentoring students, visit here.

Science Center: The new Science Center remains on track for completion in May 2009 and to open for classes in fall 2009. To see photos of the building's progress, visit our latest Stonehill Snapshot.