Monday Morning Update
October 24, 2011
Victims and Offenders: For years, Janet Connors worked to prevent violence in her Dorchester neighborhood. But, in 2001, her world was shattered when her son Joel was stabbed to death. In the wake of that crime and its attendant heartache, Connors found the strength to forgive. Instead of seeing the killers as "monsters," she focused on their humanity, offering them an opportunity to be accountable for their actions. Connors was just one of four panelists in the Martin Institute on Wednesday who examined the meaning and power of forgiveness. Ruth Henderson, a fellow in the Martin Institute's new Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, moderated the panel. For more, visit here.
Literary Lecture: This year's speaker at the Raymo Lecture is Junot Díaz, one of the top 20 writers of the 21st century according to The New Yorker. In 2008, Díaz won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which chronicles the life of an overweight Dominican boy growing up in New Jersey who loves science fiction and fantasy novels and dreams of falling in love. It also talks about the curse that has plagued Oscar's family. Díaz will give the Raymo Lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. in the Martin Institute. All are welcome. For more, visit here.
Autism Speaks: Thanks to the initiative of Madison White '14, Stonehill is the first college in Massachusetts to have an official Autism Speaks U-chapter. White started it because her sister has Asperger's syndrome and the psychology & sociology double major wants to work with and support autistic children and their families. White reports that 35 students are already members of Autism Speaks, which had its debut event at Stonehill on Saturday when the men's soccer team dedicated its senior day game to spreading awareness about autism. Since its inauguration in 2006, Autism Speaks U has raised $750,000+ and the Stonehill chapter has plans to build on that outreach. For more, contact White at mwhite3@students.stonehill.edu.
Auction Action: A week in Maui? An African Safari? Watching July 4th fireworks from a luxury Boston hotel? Bid on these and hundreds other great prizes, from Patriots tickets to gift certificates to the best restaurants, at the Alumni Auction on Saturday, November 5 at 7 p.m. in the Martin Institute. Proceeds benefit the James "Lou" and Mary Lou Gorman Scholarship Fund, which helps Stonehill students. If you have a gift item to donate or if you want to reserve tickets, call the Alumni Office at 508-565-1343.
Congratulations: State Senator Thomas Kennedy '03 was recognized for his distinguished public service at the Boston Irish Honors luncheon recently. Representing the second Plymouth and Bristol district, Kennedy was hailed as an effective advocate for the poor, the disabled and the elderly.
Presidential Move: Stonehill trustee Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C. was inaugurated as the ninth president of our sister school King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania earlier this month. A member of the business faculty at King's since 1994, Fr. Ryan led the college's McGowan School of Business for the past seven years. He became a Stonehill trustee in 2005. To hear Fr. Ryan's inaugural address, visit here.
Contact
For more information, contact Communications and Media Relations at 508-565-1321.