Monday Morning Update

June 06, 2011

Movie Violence: The acclaimed radio program Academic Minute recently featured Communication Professor Ron Leone in an audio essay on ratings creep and increasing violence in popular films. Research by Leone notes that Hollywood films rated PG-13 today are more violent than those with the same rating a generation ago. The Academic Minute airs twice each week day and highlights professors from top institutions around the country who delve into topics from the serious to the light-hearted. It is produced by the NPR affiliate WAMC/Northeast Public Radio in Kingston, New York. To hear Professor Leone's insights on ratings creep, visit here.

Golden Years: Since returning to work at the College in 1961, Fr. Robert Kruse, C.S.C. '55 has served as a priest, a professor, an administrator, a mentor to many, and a gardener. He is admired for his character and integrity along with his intelligence and wit. Recently, Fr. Kruse set a new record, becoming the first person to serve the College for 50 years. After a half a century, however, he has decided to retire. As he makes that transition, we salute him for his service and his ministry. To see a photo essay that captures the flavor of Fr. Kruse's life, visit here.

Building Stonehill: In just over six decades, the College has gone from having several buildings to 65 major ones. That growth formed the theme of Building Stonehill at last week's 51st President's Dinner, which took a retrospective look at how the campus has grown. Close to 700 neighbors, friends and alumni attended the event, which raised $100,000 for academic initiatives.

President's Award: At the President's Dinner, Fr. Mark Cregan, C.S.C. '78 presented local construction industry leader Charles Altieri with the President's Award for Excellence. Since 1948, Altieri and Auburn Construction, which he founded, have been responsible for numerous campus construction projects. As a teenage apprentice bricklayer, Altieri helped to build the old science center. Later, owning his own company, he oversaw its expansion and, more recently, its renovation into an office complex. For more on the Award and the Dinner, visit here.

Reunion 2011: Around 750 reunion alumni, along with more than 400 family and friends, attended reunion this weekend. A record 19 classes participated in the three day celebration. Alumni and guests explored campus changes, showed their children around, renewed marriage vows, toured the Shields Science Center and the new student residence, caught up with friends, and prayed for deceased classmates. They also enjoyed good food, music and dancing. We will have more coverage next week.

Alumni Network: With 80 percent of alumni living in New England, the Alumni Office is reaching out to those 16,569 alumni with six fun regional networking events this June. If you live near Portland, Maine, Worcester, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampshire, Providence, Rhode Island, Burlington, Vermont, or Hartford, Connecticut, we have an event for you. For more information and to register for an event, visit here.

Contact

For more information, contact Communications and Media Relations at 508-565-1321.