Monday Morning Update
September 21, 2009
Student Maturity: Three years ago, Johannes Tesfai '10 didn't have the confidence to address an audience. In April, the criminology major delivered a keynote speech in Alumni Hall to trustees, benefactors, and alumni explaining how he learned from his mistakes to become a better, more mature student. Reflecting on his struggles adapting to college, he noted the mentorship he received from Academic Services and Campus Ministry as he worked to transform himself. Now a recipient of the Devin Scholarship, Tesfai recently wrote an article for the Dorchester Reporter on his student experience at Stonehill. To read his story, visit here.
Intertwined Faiths: At the annual Kenneally lecture, sponsored by the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Committee, biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine argued that members of these two faiths need "to listen with each other's ears." Catholicism and Judaism, she said, run on parallel tracks and have the same stationmaster. She added, after 2,000 years of "ignorance and bearing false witness against each other, it's time to understand our intertwined history." To read more, visit here.
President Obama: What paved the way for America to elect its first African-American president? At the annual Lawrence and Theresa Salameno Lecture, historian Ira Berlin pointed to the Voting Rights and Immigration & Nationality acts of 1965 as two pieces of legislation that shaped the society in which Barack Obama was raised. The enfranchisement of millions of African-Americans and the arrival of many new black immigrants transformed American politics and culture, which, in turn, created the conditions for the historic election of our 44th President. For more, visit here.
Sustainability: From introducing energy-efficient features in buildings to educating the community on green issues to hosting water conservation competitions, the Stonehill community is expanding its sustainability measures beyond recycling paper and turning off lights. The new Environmental Stewardship Council report highlights these and many other campus-wide initiatives that are saving energy and reducing waste at Stonehill. For more, visit here.
Honor Thy Parents: Alumnus John Folan '65 remembers that his mother, Margaret, always stressed the importance of attending college and obtaining his degree. Thanks to her love and support, Folan graduated and went on to become a successful attorney in New Bedford. Before classes began this semester, Folan, a history major, brought his 104-year-old mother to campus to see the psychology research room that bears the family name in the new Science Center. There are many similar stories behind the plaques outside many of the rooms in the Science Center. To learn more about this story of gratitude and remembrance, visit here.
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