Monday Morning Update

December 08, 2008

Community-Based Learning: The Davis Educational Foundation has presented the College with a $239,000 gift in support of community-based learning, which connects classroom learning with real-world experience. While the College has many community-based learning options for students, the grant will establish a formal community based-learning program. For more, visit here.

Real-Time Trading: Business students will soon be working in real-time trading simulations thanks to finance major Robert Rivers '86 and accounting major Kevin Atkins '78, whose initiative and generosity are helping to upgrade our financial lab. The President of Eastern Bank, Rivers secured support for the upgrade from the Bank's Charitable Foundation. A Deloitte & Touche international tax attorney, Atkins made a personal gift. For more on these supportive alumni, visit here.

Study Abroad: Stonehill is increasingly regarded as one of the top colleges in the nation for study abroad. In its recent Open Doors survey, the Institute of International Education reports we have jumped from 19th to 13th on its list of baccalaureate institutions for semester study abroad programs. For more on this story, visit here.

Geneva Internship: For an example of what our students accomplish when they study abroad consider Ben Albert '10. Last week, the International Studies major testified on human rights abuses in the Congo before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva. Interning with United Nations Watch, Albert conducts research and prepares briefings, video projects, and press releases on human rights issues. To see a video of Albert's presentation, visit here.

Alumni Service: Congratulations to Joanne (Collins) Harrington '69 on winning the 2008 Alumni Service Award. A leader on the Alumni Council and active in a variety of alumni projects, Harrington is known for her volunteerism and commitment to the College and especially the Alumni Association. For more on how Joanne helps Stonehill, visit here.

The Bible: If you enjoyed Professor of Religious Studies Michael Coogan in the recent PBS Nova documentary The Bible's Buried Secrets, you will also appreciate his accompanying Nova interview on the writing of the Bible's first five books. To read it, visit here.

Presidential Message: In light of economic downturn, President Mark Cregan, C.S.C. '78 recently wrote to the Stonehill community about the challenges facing the College and outlining the steps we are taking to remain focused on our mission. Our challenges notwithstanding, Fr. Cregan wrote, "we remain a strong institution academically, financially and with a great leadership team." To read his Keeping the Focus on Our Mission letter in full, visit here.