On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the University celebrated the graduation of the class of 2009. The Department of Catholic Studies held its annual graduation open house in the Great Room of McNeely Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of its undergraduate and graduate students. Families and friends were in attendance, with guests totaling over 300.
This spring, 52 Catholic Studies majors and 10 Catholic Studies minors graduated. Of the 52 majors, 38 are double majors and 3 are triple majors. These students have combined Catholic Studies with such fields as accounting, biochemistry, economics, education, mathematics, philosophy, social work, Spanish, and theology. A special congratulations to the 33 students who have earned Latin Honors!
In addition, 6 graduate students completed their studies this year.
Mary Harnan, staff member and photographer of the event said “Taking photos during the open house was wonderful and touching. Outside the weather was sunny and warm but it felt even brighter inside McNeely Hall, seeing the joy on the faces of the graduates and feeling the warmth, love and support of the graduate’s family and friends.”
View the slideshow below for pictures from the open house event:
May, 2009
Notice: Hard Hats Required
Posted by Theresa, Catholic Studies Staff Member
On May 1st, construction workers broke ground near Sitzmann Hall, signaling the beginning of a 5-6 month construction project that will add new offices, a classroom, a new chapel, increased storage areas, an elevator, and a landscaped backyard with a meditation area. Included in the plans for the new chapel are beautiful stained glass windows from a Boston-area French Catholic Church.
The expansion, fully funded by Catholic Studies donors, will allow for more space for classes and worship, and promote increased interaction between students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Center.
Thanks to the generosity of the business department, during construction, Catholic Studies faculty and staff can be found on the second floor of McNeely Hall, in rooms 220, 223, and 227.
Stop by and see our new addition in October!
Catholic Studies Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
Posted by Theresa, Catholic Studies Staff Member
The Catholic Studies Undergraduate Department had its 4th annual Ultimate Frisbee Tournament last Saturday, complete with a bright sunny day, food and fun.
“The Best Team Ever”, the Catholic Studies Faculty and Staff team (with help from some of their kids), brought out some fierce competition against the participating undergraduate students and alumni.
The double-elimination tournament culminated in a double championship game. “The Fall of Rome” (the students that will be studying in Rome together next fall) were undefeated until “Hansel” came back from the loser’s bracket to win the game. Being a double elimination tournament, the two teams played again, with “The Fall of Rome” taking the final crown and glory.
Other teams competing were Al Dente (the Catholic Men’s House), The Humiliators, and the Great Wall of China.
Catholic Social Thought at Home
Posted by Gwen Adams, UST Alumnus 2007, M.A. in Catholic Studies
April 26, 1 PM: Cold and rainy as the Littlemore (a.k.a. The Catholic Studies Women’s House) hosts Talk 2 in a three part series on Catholic Social Teaching. Dr. Chris & Mary Thompson began the series in March by talking about the Church and the environment. Today Dr. Jonathan & Stephanie Reyes are talking today about the family as foundation for society and sharing their own experiences. A nice mix of alumnae, graduate, and undergraduate students enjoyed ham sandwiches and some stories about the Reyes family. Jonathan Reyes is a visiting professor this semester and gave the Habinger Lecture last month. He explains that we’re an individualistic society, and that even families can be individualistic instead of realizing that the family exists for others. Then Stephanie lays out some practices that have worked in the Reyes family–like a Rule of Life, and some ways to serve in and outside the home. She recommends A Mother’s Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot.
The Reyes say their kids are their best evangelization. I think that’s really encouraging to a family or anyone contemplating marriage–the idea that nothing you say or do is half so powerful as raising kids to be normal and virtuous, healthy and in love with Christ. They do all the witnessing! But that presupposes that people are interacting with your family–at church, at the nursing home, at a soup kitchen, in the neighborhood, with other families, and that you as a family are praying and making time for those encounters.
Dr. Michael & Teresa Naughton will conclude the series next Sunday, May 3, same time, same place.
