Monday Morning Update

October 31, 2011

Science Education: Forty scientists from 14 regional colleges spent a day at Stonehill recently exploring how to teach science in new ways that engage students and lead to lasting learning. They also looked at service learning partnerships, the role of student leadership in them and collaborations to meet science-related community needs. This was the first time the College has hosted a Science Education for New Civic Engagement and Responsibility (SENCER) meeting. Credit for bringing this SENCER northeast regional event to campus goes to Heather Bleakley (Biology), Maria Curtin (Chemistry) and Susan Mooney (Environmental Studies). Additonally, Stacy Grooters (Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning) and Cory Dolgon (Director of Community-Based Learning) led assessment and community-based learning workshops.

Why Art? "Art simply asks you, for a moment, to endure contemplating what it means to be human. What it means to be vulnerable. What it means to be fallible. What it means to be perfect. What it means to be contradictive. What it means to not be the one who wins all the time, and, most importantly, what it means to be in contact with other human beings who are equally confused and equally imperfect," said Pulitzer Prize-winner Junot Díaz at the Raymo Lecture last week. To read more on his talk, visit here.

Best of the Best: Stonehill's student-athletes have one of the highest graduation rates in the nation according to a recent NCAA report. With a 98-percent Academic Success Rating (ASR), Stonehill tied for third nationally in the annual report. This marks the second straight year Stonehill has maintained a 98-percent rating. For more on this academic achievement, visit here.

Presidential Race: Twice last week, Boston television station NECN had Martin Institute Director Peter Ubertaccio on its Political Wrap morning program as an authority on presidential politics. To hear what Ubertaccio had to say on Monday about the upcoming race for the White House, visit here.

Heritage Reclaimed: Learn about the revival of the Wampanoag language on Wednesday when Jessie Little Doe Baird speaks in the Martin Institute at 7 p.m. about her efforts to preserve the linguistic traditions of indigenous peoples. All are welcome. For more on Baird, visit here.

Signs of Hope: Every year, Stonehill students travel to Canto Grande, a sprawling neighborhood in Peru's capital Lima. They find it attractive as an alternative spring break site because, for 35 years, the Congregation of Holy Cross has helped to shape that community, building parishes, establishing schools and opening health clinics. In a recent Pillars article, Rev. Arthur Colgan '68, who has dedicated his life to ministering to the poor, outlines the history of Holy Cross in Canto Grande and notes the many "signs of hope" there as a result of the Congregation's efforts. To read his article, visit here.

Fright Night: Students turned Holy Cross Center into a haunted house on Thursday night and many children of employees enjoyed a spooky Halloween wandering through the corridors of the former seminary. As part of this Residence Life program, earlier in the evening, younger children went trick or treating in residence halls across campus. Happy Halloween.

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