Restless Heart showcases saint's life - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in February 13, 2013 issue of Le Provocateur
On Tuesday, February 5, students, faculty and off-campus visitors gathered at 7 p.m. to view the critically acclaimed film Restless Heart: The Confessions of St. Augustine. At the beginning of the evening everyone was welcomed at the top of the stairs of the Hagan Campus Center with a popcorn machine and other refreshments. The campus held the viewing in hopes to better educate the Assumption Community about St. Augustine and his connection to Assumption's history and mission.
Before the movie started, President Francesco Cesareo introduced himself and welcomed everyone to Assumption.
"I would like to welcome you to our campus this evening for this very special viewing of the movie Restless Heart on the confessions of St. Augustine," said Cesareo. "As you may know, St. Augustine holds a special place for us here at Assumption College because of the sponsors of our institution, the Augustinians of the Assumption."
"This is a part of our College's celebration of the year of faith to help bring to light the work of this great theologian and philosopher who continues to be very influential in our church today," said Cesareo. "As you know, Pope Benedict is a great admirer of St. Augustine and is very influenced by St. Augustine's own thinking."
Restless Heart was filmed in Europe and is the first full-length movie about Augustine--one of the Catholic Church's most well known saints.
The film takes place in the city of Hippo and is based around the life of Augustine. He starts out by sharing the story of how his Christian mother, Monica, saved his life when he was born.
When Augustine was young he was lucky enough to experience the famous orator Microbius using his persuasive skills to win over a court room. Microbius was famous for his line "These are facts...not words" to win any argument that was thrown his way. Augustine loved watching Microbius at work and he quickly wanted to become an orator; he was "eager to be eminent."
Augustine's mother, Monica, had a huge impact on the decisions that he made throughout his life and always hoped that "one day, we will be united in our faith." After seeing Microbius, the teenage Augustine immediately went home to tell his parents the news and that he wanted to travel to Carthage in order to learn the ways of Microbius and become a famous orator and lawyer just like him.
when Augustine first arrived he was introduced to a woman who would be his servant for his time there. Augustine was a self-centered person, but eventually proved to be worth of training under the eyes of Microbius.
Augustine quickly took after Microbius' lifestyle and was able to convince a jury to drop the charges against a guilty man who assaulted his wife. Through time, he had won so many cases that he returned home and was asked to go to Milan and become the orator for the emperor. He chose to take the offer even though that meant lying to his mother and wife and leaving them, along with his son, behind.
In one of the most prominent scenes, Catholic-Bishop Augustine has a debate with the bishop of Donatists; an unbiased judge ultimately decided the winner.
After returning to Hippo, also on the eve of an attack by Vandal raiders, Augustine tried to convince the Roman garrison to form a compromise with Genseric, the Vandal King--but they refused. This decision therefore forced Augustine to make his own decision.
In the end, he wrote two documents that are influential in the history of the Church--The Confessions and The City of God.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Majors fair aids decision process - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in February 13, 2013 issue of Le Provocateur
As an incoming first-year, there is awlays the question in the back of a students' mind: "What am I going to major in?"
The College would like to make this decision as easy as possible for students who are still unsure of what they want to pursue throughout their four years on campus.
On Wednesday, February 6, at 6 p.m. undeclared students were welcome to attend the Majors Fair in the Hagan Campus Center to explore all of the majors, minors and concentrations that are offered to them at Assumption. Suellen Lazarek Dean from Career Services organized this annual event.
Students were welcomed by smiling faces at the sign-in table and were told that if they visited five different tables they could get a free t-shirt, which were being handed out by the First-Year Mentor students.
Not only would students be able to receive their free t-shirt, but also just by signing in at the welcome table, their name was automatically put into a raffle.
Each department was represented by various faculty members and students to help answer any questions that people may have had. Junior Kerriann Lusk was one of the students helping out at the Education Department table.
"I think it is very helpful and informative. It helps the students visualize what their possible futures could be and see how many different options Assumption offers," said Lusk. "I helped answer questions about the education concentration because there are a lot of questions students have about the qualifications and courses that are required."
Bethany Rossi, Director of Career Services, was also there to represent. Career services is another helping hand available to all students on campus. One of their goals is to help you in any way possible--whether that is choosing a major or even perfecting your resume before you start job hunting. They are located on the hill in the Student Development and Counseling Center across the street and behind the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
The President of First-Year Mentors, senior Margaux Finan, along with the rest of the mentors, let their assigned first-year students know about the fair and why it would benefit them to attend.
"We want them to understand what majors are out there and be able to speak with professors about various areas of studies," said Finan. "We handed out t-shirts after the first year students got five signatures from various tables. Basically an incentive for them to visit."
"The career fair benefits the first-year students because it gives them the opportunity to talk to professors and get information on various areas of study," said Finan.
Don't forget to keep an eye out for other events that the First-Year Mentor program will be hosting throughout the remainder of the semester.
Published in February 13, 2013 issue of Le Provocateur
As an incoming first-year, there is awlays the question in the back of a students' mind: "What am I going to major in?"
The College would like to make this decision as easy as possible for students who are still unsure of what they want to pursue throughout their four years on campus.
On Wednesday, February 6, at 6 p.m. undeclared students were welcome to attend the Majors Fair in the Hagan Campus Center to explore all of the majors, minors and concentrations that are offered to them at Assumption. Suellen Lazarek Dean from Career Services organized this annual event.
Students were welcomed by smiling faces at the sign-in table and were told that if they visited five different tables they could get a free t-shirt, which were being handed out by the First-Year Mentor students.
Not only would students be able to receive their free t-shirt, but also just by signing in at the welcome table, their name was automatically put into a raffle.
Each department was represented by various faculty members and students to help answer any questions that people may have had. Junior Kerriann Lusk was one of the students helping out at the Education Department table.
"I think it is very helpful and informative. It helps the students visualize what their possible futures could be and see how many different options Assumption offers," said Lusk. "I helped answer questions about the education concentration because there are a lot of questions students have about the qualifications and courses that are required."
Bethany Rossi, Director of Career Services, was also there to represent. Career services is another helping hand available to all students on campus. One of their goals is to help you in any way possible--whether that is choosing a major or even perfecting your resume before you start job hunting. They are located on the hill in the Student Development and Counseling Center across the street and behind the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.
The President of First-Year Mentors, senior Margaux Finan, along with the rest of the mentors, let their assigned first-year students know about the fair and why it would benefit them to attend.
"We want them to understand what majors are out there and be able to speak with professors about various areas of studies," said Finan. "We handed out t-shirts after the first year students got five signatures from various tables. Basically an incentive for them to visit."
"The career fair benefits the first-year students because it gives them the opportunity to talk to professors and get information on various areas of study," said Finan.
Don't forget to keep an eye out for other events that the First-Year Mentor program will be hosting throughout the remainder of the semester.
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Assumption students' hometowns slowly recover form Hurricane Sandy - News - Le Provocateur
Published in November 14, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Although Hurricane Sandy didn't do much damage to the Assumption College campus, she left her mark on many other places. The high winds and rain that came with the hurricane left towns with downed trees, telephone poles, wires and flooding.
Hurricane Sandy was not only the largest hurricane on record, but also the second most costly Atlantic hurricane in history. Hurricane Katrina of 2005 being number one.
Hurricane Sandy changed the lives of many people in New Jersey and New York City. Sophomore Tyler Murphy was personally affected by the hurricane.
"My mom lives in West Keansburg, New Jersey. West Keansburg didn't get hit that bad, but my houes is flooded and the back yard is completely ruined," Murphy said. "My dad lives in Union Beach, New Jersey with my grandma, grandpa, aunt and little cousin. Union Beach got it the worst out of any place in New Jersey."
If you Google "Hurricane Sandy and Union Beach, New Jersey" there is a picture, courtesy of nj.com, of a home completely split in half. This house belonged to one of Murphy's friends.
"My dad's house is completely flooded and gone. My aunt Karen's house literally floated away," shared Murphy. "Probably the worst thing that happened was just that the Union Beach beachfront was washed away and that was pretty much all the town had going for it. There was a huge September 11 memorial there and it is completely ruined."
"Nearly 200 homes were destroyed in Union Beach in one of the worst storms the state has seen," according to nj.com.
Junior Brooke Samaha has a sister who lives in Manhattan who, as of October 30, was "stuck in NYC."
"She lives on the 21st floor of an apartment building, and although she was not evacuated from it, her power had gone out, and she was told she wasn't going to have power back for another week," said Samaha. "She also did not have water, and they weren't allowing anyone into New York City at the time."
"My sister told me, 'it was really scary since I was on the 21st floor and all the windows were shaking and you could feel the building moving. If you looked out my window, you could see how flooded all of First Ave. was. Probably three feet of water. You could hear things falling outside. Then the power went out.'"
"Luckily, the FDR bridge opened back up, and at about 8:45," said Samaha. "My father was able to pick her up and bring her to our home in Connecticut which was in much better shape than New York."
According to the New York Times, "The number of New York City fatalities from Hurricane Sandy jumped to 38 on Thursday, including two young boys who were swept from the arms of their mother on Staten Island and found dead at the swampy end of a street, the police said."
Sandy was the 10th hurricane that hit during the 2012 hurricane season. Not only did she do damage to the Northeastern part of the United States, but also devastating damage to the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic.
According to The Huffington Post, Hurricane Katrina caused more deaths, but Hurricane Sandy has left almost 10 times more people without power than Katrina did.
Sandy changed from a tropical wave while it was in the Caribbean Sea on October 22 to a tropical storm roughly six hours later.
By October 27, Sandy grew stronger to a category one hurricane. On October 29, when Sandy moved towards land near Atlantic City, New Jersey, she was referred to as a "post-tropical cyclone."
By the time Sandy was over, 24 states were affected by the hurricane. The entire East Coast from Florida to Maine and as far west as Michigan and Wisconsin were hit, while the most severe damage occurred in New Jersey and New York.
Published in November 14, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Although Hurricane Sandy didn't do much damage to the Assumption College campus, she left her mark on many other places. The high winds and rain that came with the hurricane left towns with downed trees, telephone poles, wires and flooding.
Hurricane Sandy was not only the largest hurricane on record, but also the second most costly Atlantic hurricane in history. Hurricane Katrina of 2005 being number one.
Hurricane Sandy changed the lives of many people in New Jersey and New York City. Sophomore Tyler Murphy was personally affected by the hurricane.
"My mom lives in West Keansburg, New Jersey. West Keansburg didn't get hit that bad, but my houes is flooded and the back yard is completely ruined," Murphy said. "My dad lives in Union Beach, New Jersey with my grandma, grandpa, aunt and little cousin. Union Beach got it the worst out of any place in New Jersey."
If you Google "Hurricane Sandy and Union Beach, New Jersey" there is a picture, courtesy of nj.com, of a home completely split in half. This house belonged to one of Murphy's friends.
"My dad's house is completely flooded and gone. My aunt Karen's house literally floated away," shared Murphy. "Probably the worst thing that happened was just that the Union Beach beachfront was washed away and that was pretty much all the town had going for it. There was a huge September 11 memorial there and it is completely ruined."
"Nearly 200 homes were destroyed in Union Beach in one of the worst storms the state has seen," according to nj.com.
Junior Brooke Samaha has a sister who lives in Manhattan who, as of October 30, was "stuck in NYC."
"She lives on the 21st floor of an apartment building, and although she was not evacuated from it, her power had gone out, and she was told she wasn't going to have power back for another week," said Samaha. "She also did not have water, and they weren't allowing anyone into New York City at the time."
"My sister told me, 'it was really scary since I was on the 21st floor and all the windows were shaking and you could feel the building moving. If you looked out my window, you could see how flooded all of First Ave. was. Probably three feet of water. You could hear things falling outside. Then the power went out.'"
"Luckily, the FDR bridge opened back up, and at about 8:45," said Samaha. "My father was able to pick her up and bring her to our home in Connecticut which was in much better shape than New York."
According to the New York Times, "The number of New York City fatalities from Hurricane Sandy jumped to 38 on Thursday, including two young boys who were swept from the arms of their mother on Staten Island and found dead at the swampy end of a street, the police said."
Sandy was the 10th hurricane that hit during the 2012 hurricane season. Not only did she do damage to the Northeastern part of the United States, but also devastating damage to the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic.
According to The Huffington Post, Hurricane Katrina caused more deaths, but Hurricane Sandy has left almost 10 times more people without power than Katrina did.
Sandy changed from a tropical wave while it was in the Caribbean Sea on October 22 to a tropical storm roughly six hours later.
By October 27, Sandy grew stronger to a category one hurricane. On October 29, when Sandy moved towards land near Atlantic City, New Jersey, she was referred to as a "post-tropical cyclone."
By the time Sandy was over, 24 states were affected by the hurricane. The entire East Coast from Florida to Maine and as far west as Michigan and Wisconsin were hit, while the most severe damage occurred in New Jersey and New York.
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Career Services offers 'Advice and a slice' - News - Le Provocateur
Published in November 14, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Monday November 5, Assumption students gathered in the Plourde Recreation Center Conference Room for "Advice and a Slice," where Bethany Rossi, Director of Career Services, shared tips for creating an internship or job search strategy.
According to Rossi, students should first reflect on their strengths, skills and interests, which may include categories such as motivation and intrinsic reward, classroom education, internship and work experiences, activities and leadership roles, hobbies and interests, project and team experiences and community, network and exposure.
Rossie distributed a handout explaining the importance of both in-class education and experience outside the classroom.
For the second step, students relate their skills and interests to a future career path. According to the handout, a student should think about how his/her skills go beyond life on campus. Since Assumption's liberal arts curriculum provides a variety of courses, students' majors do not have to restrict them to a certain job.
The third step is identifying target lists. Rossi's example target lists included job functions, industries, companies/organizations and personal preferences. She stated that all of these topics should be considered when compiling target lists for jobs.
Students need to be strategic when planning for a career. When creating a target list, students should start small and then build up the list over time as the job search progresses.
The fourth step includes using campus resources to prepare and launch a job or internship search. Not every student realizes how many sources are right at his/her fingertips. Hound Explorer is a great resource to find internships in the Worcester area. It's as easy as just creating an account and uploading a resume. Hound Explorer is a simple resource to search and apply for jobs, and students can even sign up for on-campus interviews through the website.
Another on-campus resource is Career Services. Located in the Student Development and Career Center, it is available to help build and review a resume, support students through their searches and to prepare for interviews.
The fifth step is to leverage online resources to enhance a search. Students should go and browse around the website for each company they have added to their target lists from step three. They can research ratings of different companies from Business Week's Best Places to Launch a Career. Other useful websites to use are simplyhired.com or college.monster.com
Social media, surprisingly, is also helpful when it comes to searching or jobs. A lot of companies have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages, which they keep up-to-date with information.
Rossi repeatedly encouraged students to create a profile on LinkedIn, because it is a great way to get connected with companies and employees to show interest in working for them.
The sixth step is to network, network, network. Networking and making connections through friends, family and alumni is helpful when trying to land a dream job. According to the handout, it's very helpful to schedule informational interviews, which can provide useful information, help a student make connections and show companies they are interested.
Finally, it is key to stay focused. Assumption students have a lot on their plates with full course loads, internships, jobs and extracurricular activities, but Rossi emphasized that it is important to set a goal and a target date in order to keep on the right track. She said to keep in mind that rejection isn't the end; just reassess your approach and set new goals.
If you have any further questions or want to make an appointment with Career Services, call 508-767-7049, email careerservices@assumption.edu or visit collegecentral.com/assumption.
Published in November 14, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Monday November 5, Assumption students gathered in the Plourde Recreation Center Conference Room for "Advice and a Slice," where Bethany Rossi, Director of Career Services, shared tips for creating an internship or job search strategy.
According to Rossi, students should first reflect on their strengths, skills and interests, which may include categories such as motivation and intrinsic reward, classroom education, internship and work experiences, activities and leadership roles, hobbies and interests, project and team experiences and community, network and exposure.
Rossie distributed a handout explaining the importance of both in-class education and experience outside the classroom.
For the second step, students relate their skills and interests to a future career path. According to the handout, a student should think about how his/her skills go beyond life on campus. Since Assumption's liberal arts curriculum provides a variety of courses, students' majors do not have to restrict them to a certain job.
The third step is identifying target lists. Rossi's example target lists included job functions, industries, companies/organizations and personal preferences. She stated that all of these topics should be considered when compiling target lists for jobs.
Students need to be strategic when planning for a career. When creating a target list, students should start small and then build up the list over time as the job search progresses.
The fourth step includes using campus resources to prepare and launch a job or internship search. Not every student realizes how many sources are right at his/her fingertips. Hound Explorer is a great resource to find internships in the Worcester area. It's as easy as just creating an account and uploading a resume. Hound Explorer is a simple resource to search and apply for jobs, and students can even sign up for on-campus interviews through the website.
Another on-campus resource is Career Services. Located in the Student Development and Career Center, it is available to help build and review a resume, support students through their searches and to prepare for interviews.
The fifth step is to leverage online resources to enhance a search. Students should go and browse around the website for each company they have added to their target lists from step three. They can research ratings of different companies from Business Week's Best Places to Launch a Career. Other useful websites to use are simplyhired.com or college.monster.com
Social media, surprisingly, is also helpful when it comes to searching or jobs. A lot of companies have Twitter accounts and Facebook pages, which they keep up-to-date with information.
Rossi repeatedly encouraged students to create a profile on LinkedIn, because it is a great way to get connected with companies and employees to show interest in working for them.
The sixth step is to network, network, network. Networking and making connections through friends, family and alumni is helpful when trying to land a dream job. According to the handout, it's very helpful to schedule informational interviews, which can provide useful information, help a student make connections and show companies they are interested.
Finally, it is key to stay focused. Assumption students have a lot on their plates with full course loads, internships, jobs and extracurricular activities, but Rossi emphasized that it is important to set a goal and a target date in order to keep on the right track. She said to keep in mind that rejection isn't the end; just reassess your approach and set new goals.
If you have any further questions or want to make an appointment with Career Services, call 508-767-7049, email careerservices@assumption.edu or visit collegecentral.com/assumption.
Published Work - Le Provocateur
President's Lecture Series: the life of Louis Massignon - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in November 1, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Wednesday, October 24, students, faculty and vistors gathered in the Salon of La Maison to welcome Fr. Patrick J. Ryan, who visited to speak about Louis Massignon: A 'Catholic Muslim' and his intellectual journey as part of the President's Lecture series.
"I want to speak to you this evening about a most unusual Catholic, a scholar of Islam, whose life and career exemplify, for me at least, something very essential to the Catholic intellectual tradition, said Fr. Ryan. "A breath of vision that is catholic with a small 'c,' as well as catholic with a capital 'C.'"
Fr. Ryan is the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University. He is a native New Yorker and entered into the Society of Jesus in 1957; he was ordained a priest in 1958.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in English language and literature at Fordham University. He also earned his Ph.D. in the comparative history of religion with a specialization in Arabic and Islamic studies at Harvard University.
Fr. Ryan worked, for about half of his life, in West Africa, and spent most of his time in Nigeria and Ghana. Not only did he devote a lot of time overseas, but he has also held various positions at Fordham University. From 1983 to 1986, he taught Middle Eastern studies and from 1996 to 1998, he held the Loyola Chair in the Humanities position.
Fr. Ryan served as Fordham's Vice President for University Mission and Ministry from 2005 to 2009. In 2009, he became the second occupant of the McGinley chair.
"We live in a time of these United States, more than 11 years after the terrible events of September 11,2001," Fr. Ryan stated as he began his lecture. "It seems that many Americans feel free to speak very negatively about Islam, the faith of Muslims."
Fr. Ryan went on to discuss Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic radicalism and Islamic phoneticism, more commonly known as Islamism by discussing Louis Massignon.
Louis Massignon was born July 25, 1883, in a suburb of Paris. He was a French scholar of Islam and its history. His father, Fernand Massignon, was an agnostic and his mother was a devout Catholic.
Massignon was also a Catholic, but tried to better understand Islamd and the way it was viewed in the West.
In 1896, Massignon studied at Lycee Louis-le-Grand in Paris. This is where he met his classmate, Henri Maspero.
"Although the curriculum he followed concentrated on the Greek and Roman classics, Louis and his fellow student, after 1896, Henri Maspero decided that they themselves would eventually specialize in the study of non-western cultures," said Fr. Ryan.
Massignon and Maspero later became colleagues at the College de France in Paris.
Fr. Ryan continued his lecture by going into further detail about the people in Massignon's life. Joris-Karl Huysmans underwent a religious conversion later on in his life, which affected his novels.
"As a result, Huysmans was virtually the only believer in the circle of Fernand Massignon," said Fr. Ryan.
Massignon and Huysmans first met in the 1900s and heard the story of Huysmans' conversion to Catholicism. Massignon also learned about what Huysmans' devotion to St. Lydwine of Schiedam.
"His first degree, however, completed in 1902, when he was 19 was actually in French literature," stated Fr. Ryan. "It was only in 1903, after 10 months of military training, that Massignon first undertook the study of Arabic."
Massignon's first piece of undergraduate work concentrated on the literature of the 16th-century. His thesis concentrated on the topic of the reconstruction of the 16th-century Morocco of Leo Africanus.
"In Algeria at the time, Massignon led what he later called a 'very violent life.'"
Fr. Ryan continued on with his lecture by going into further detail of the life of Massignon.
Massignon experienced a spiritual revolution that marked him for the rest of his life. Massignon recalled having a visitation from God in May of 1908.
"The visitation of a stranger. The stranger to Massignon was God," said Fr. Ryan. "My inner mirror revealed him to me," said Fr. Ryan while quoting Massignon's experience of seeing God.
"Louis Massignon died not in the Holy Land as he had hoped, but in France on All Saints Day in 1962," stated Fr. Ryan.
Published in November 1, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Wednesday, October 24, students, faculty and vistors gathered in the Salon of La Maison to welcome Fr. Patrick J. Ryan, who visited to speak about Louis Massignon: A 'Catholic Muslim' and his intellectual journey as part of the President's Lecture series.
"I want to speak to you this evening about a most unusual Catholic, a scholar of Islam, whose life and career exemplify, for me at least, something very essential to the Catholic intellectual tradition, said Fr. Ryan. "A breath of vision that is catholic with a small 'c,' as well as catholic with a capital 'C.'"
Fr. Ryan is the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University. He is a native New Yorker and entered into the Society of Jesus in 1957; he was ordained a priest in 1958.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in English language and literature at Fordham University. He also earned his Ph.D. in the comparative history of religion with a specialization in Arabic and Islamic studies at Harvard University.
Fr. Ryan worked, for about half of his life, in West Africa, and spent most of his time in Nigeria and Ghana. Not only did he devote a lot of time overseas, but he has also held various positions at Fordham University. From 1983 to 1986, he taught Middle Eastern studies and from 1996 to 1998, he held the Loyola Chair in the Humanities position.
Fr. Ryan served as Fordham's Vice President for University Mission and Ministry from 2005 to 2009. In 2009, he became the second occupant of the McGinley chair.
"We live in a time of these United States, more than 11 years after the terrible events of September 11,2001," Fr. Ryan stated as he began his lecture. "It seems that many Americans feel free to speak very negatively about Islam, the faith of Muslims."
Fr. Ryan went on to discuss Islamic fundamentalism, Islamic radicalism and Islamic phoneticism, more commonly known as Islamism by discussing Louis Massignon.
Louis Massignon was born July 25, 1883, in a suburb of Paris. He was a French scholar of Islam and its history. His father, Fernand Massignon, was an agnostic and his mother was a devout Catholic.
Massignon was also a Catholic, but tried to better understand Islamd and the way it was viewed in the West.
In 1896, Massignon studied at Lycee Louis-le-Grand in Paris. This is where he met his classmate, Henri Maspero.
"Although the curriculum he followed concentrated on the Greek and Roman classics, Louis and his fellow student, after 1896, Henri Maspero decided that they themselves would eventually specialize in the study of non-western cultures," said Fr. Ryan.
Massignon and Maspero later became colleagues at the College de France in Paris.
Fr. Ryan continued his lecture by going into further detail about the people in Massignon's life. Joris-Karl Huysmans underwent a religious conversion later on in his life, which affected his novels.
"As a result, Huysmans was virtually the only believer in the circle of Fernand Massignon," said Fr. Ryan.
Massignon and Huysmans first met in the 1900s and heard the story of Huysmans' conversion to Catholicism. Massignon also learned about what Huysmans' devotion to St. Lydwine of Schiedam.
"His first degree, however, completed in 1902, when he was 19 was actually in French literature," stated Fr. Ryan. "It was only in 1903, after 10 months of military training, that Massignon first undertook the study of Arabic."
Massignon's first piece of undergraduate work concentrated on the literature of the 16th-century. His thesis concentrated on the topic of the reconstruction of the 16th-century Morocco of Leo Africanus.
"In Algeria at the time, Massignon led what he later called a 'very violent life.'"
Fr. Ryan continued on with his lecture by going into further detail of the life of Massignon.
Massignon experienced a spiritual revolution that marked him for the rest of his life. Massignon recalled having a visitation from God in May of 1908.
"The visitation of a stranger. The stranger to Massignon was God," said Fr. Ryan. "My inner mirror revealed him to me," said Fr. Ryan while quoting Massignon's experience of seeing God.
"Louis Massignon died not in the Holy Land as he had hoped, but in France on All Saints Day in 1962," stated Fr. Ryan.
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Excellence rewarded at Ray Marion ceremony - News - Le Provocateur
Published in October 17, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Wednesday, October 10 at 4 p.m., three Assumption College seniors, Amanda Carchedi, Nicole Carpenter and Gianna Gugliotti, were honored at the 27th annual Ray Marion Awards for having the three highest grade point averages in their class upon completion of their junior year.
The Ray Marion Awards are annually given to the three rising seniors with the highest GPAs and honor a fellow Assumption alumnus, Ray Marion '42.
Eloise Knowlton, Dean of students, individually called up the three winners and their families, in which she presented them with their awards.
Carchedi will be graduating this May with a degree in graphic design and art history with a minor in marketing. Carchedi has been greatly involved in campus life during her four years at Assumption.
"A dedicated member of the Campus Activities Board for four years and its current co-chairperson, Amanda has also been a Resident Assistant for the past two years," said Knowlton. "Last summer, Amanda put her graphic design and marketing skills to work as she completed an internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital, developing its web content and helping create the Frist Annual Brigham and Women's Research Day."
Carpenter will be graduating this May with a degree in marketing and Spanish. She has been a member of the Campus Activities Board for three years and is this year's co-chairperson with Carchedi.
"She's a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society and an Augustine Scholarship recipient," stated Knowlton. "This year, Nicole is working as a branding and marketing intern for GrooveBoston, a special events company based out of Boston. As a part of the Honors Program, Nicole is currently writing her Honors Thesis."
Gugliotti will be graduating this May with a dress in English literature in graduate school. She is at Assumption on the D'Alzon scholarship with an interest in English and history.
"She is a member of Assumption's branches of Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Alpha Theta, of which she is the acting vice president and was a winner of last year's Undergraduate Symposium," said Knowlton. "She is also involved as an editor and writer of Assumption's creative writing journal, L'Esprit, in Assumption's band as a saxophonist and is participating in the 2012 American Antiquarian Society Seminar."
The three winners offer their advice to all of the rising sophomores, juniors and seniors.
"I would tell them to pick something you are truly passionate about to study," said Carchedi. "I know it's hard, but don't procrastinate and always put in effort to what you are doing."
"Navigate the remainder of your college career with a 'work hard, play hard' attitude," said Carpenter. "Make sure that you take the time to enjoy the time that you have left--get involved, try something new, set time aside to do the things you love--so that college not only fosters your academic growth, but your personal growth as well."
"Try to figure out how to manage your time by learning your limits; you'll eventually know how long it takes to work on various assignments and be comfortable in your schedule," says Gugliotti. "Also, in those moments of doubt late at night, drink something caffeinated."
In order for others to understand the importance of the awards' namesake, Knowlton gave background on the Assumption alumnus and professor.
"[Marion] was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on September 22, 1920," Knowlton said. "He enrolled in Assumption College High School, also called Assumption Prep, in 1935," stated Knowlton. "He completed high school there, and continued at Assumption College, receiving a B.A., magna cum laude, in 1942. His undergraduate transcript dates from when our records were still in French, a language he studied along with Latin, Greek, German and English."
Marion earned his masters in 1946 from Clark University. He specialized in American History and International Relations. He completed his doctoral studies also at Clark University in 1957. His focus was on France and International Relations.
As a professor at Assumption for 44 years, Marion offered courses in history, political science and geography.
"An innovative educator, he was one of the creators of and teachers in the college's interdisciplinary program in Native American studies," said Knowlton. "He served as chair of the history department from 1961 to 1970 and chaired the division of Social Science from 1962 to 1969."
In 1971 for two years, Marion served as the academic dean. After his two years as dean, he received the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Not only did Marion contribute to the academic side of the college but also the athletics. He served as the varsity basketball coach and assistant football coach. He was inducted into the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
He also served as the director of the Assumption Alumni Association, which in 1971 honored him with the Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Directly following his retirement in 1990, Marion was named professor emeritus and was awarded the d'Alzon Medal for his contributions to the College and the Church. The College decided to name the awards for academic excellence after him once he retired.
Published in October 17, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
On Wednesday, October 10 at 4 p.m., three Assumption College seniors, Amanda Carchedi, Nicole Carpenter and Gianna Gugliotti, were honored at the 27th annual Ray Marion Awards for having the three highest grade point averages in their class upon completion of their junior year.
The Ray Marion Awards are annually given to the three rising seniors with the highest GPAs and honor a fellow Assumption alumnus, Ray Marion '42.
Eloise Knowlton, Dean of students, individually called up the three winners and their families, in which she presented them with their awards.
Carchedi will be graduating this May with a degree in graphic design and art history with a minor in marketing. Carchedi has been greatly involved in campus life during her four years at Assumption.
"A dedicated member of the Campus Activities Board for four years and its current co-chairperson, Amanda has also been a Resident Assistant for the past two years," said Knowlton. "Last summer, Amanda put her graphic design and marketing skills to work as she completed an internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital, developing its web content and helping create the Frist Annual Brigham and Women's Research Day."
Carpenter will be graduating this May with a degree in marketing and Spanish. She has been a member of the Campus Activities Board for three years and is this year's co-chairperson with Carchedi.
"She's a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society and an Augustine Scholarship recipient," stated Knowlton. "This year, Nicole is working as a branding and marketing intern for GrooveBoston, a special events company based out of Boston. As a part of the Honors Program, Nicole is currently writing her Honors Thesis."
Gugliotti will be graduating this May with a dress in English literature in graduate school. She is at Assumption on the D'Alzon scholarship with an interest in English and history.
"She is a member of Assumption's branches of Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Alpha Theta, of which she is the acting vice president and was a winner of last year's Undergraduate Symposium," said Knowlton. "She is also involved as an editor and writer of Assumption's creative writing journal, L'Esprit, in Assumption's band as a saxophonist and is participating in the 2012 American Antiquarian Society Seminar."
The three winners offer their advice to all of the rising sophomores, juniors and seniors.
"I would tell them to pick something you are truly passionate about to study," said Carchedi. "I know it's hard, but don't procrastinate and always put in effort to what you are doing."
"Navigate the remainder of your college career with a 'work hard, play hard' attitude," said Carpenter. "Make sure that you take the time to enjoy the time that you have left--get involved, try something new, set time aside to do the things you love--so that college not only fosters your academic growth, but your personal growth as well."
"Try to figure out how to manage your time by learning your limits; you'll eventually know how long it takes to work on various assignments and be comfortable in your schedule," says Gugliotti. "Also, in those moments of doubt late at night, drink something caffeinated."
In order for others to understand the importance of the awards' namesake, Knowlton gave background on the Assumption alumnus and professor.
"[Marion] was born in Gardner, Massachusetts on September 22, 1920," Knowlton said. "He enrolled in Assumption College High School, also called Assumption Prep, in 1935," stated Knowlton. "He completed high school there, and continued at Assumption College, receiving a B.A., magna cum laude, in 1942. His undergraduate transcript dates from when our records were still in French, a language he studied along with Latin, Greek, German and English."
Marion earned his masters in 1946 from Clark University. He specialized in American History and International Relations. He completed his doctoral studies also at Clark University in 1957. His focus was on France and International Relations.
As a professor at Assumption for 44 years, Marion offered courses in history, political science and geography.
"An innovative educator, he was one of the creators of and teachers in the college's interdisciplinary program in Native American studies," said Knowlton. "He served as chair of the history department from 1961 to 1970 and chaired the division of Social Science from 1962 to 1969."
In 1971 for two years, Marion served as the academic dean. After his two years as dean, he received the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
Not only did Marion contribute to the academic side of the college but also the athletics. He served as the varsity basketball coach and assistant football coach. He was inducted into the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
He also served as the director of the Assumption Alumni Association, which in 1971 honored him with the Outstanding Alumnus Award.
Directly following his retirement in 1990, Marion was named professor emeritus and was awarded the d'Alzon Medal for his contributions to the College and the Church. The College decided to name the awards for academic excellence after him once he retired.
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Assumption presents Sun Come Up - News - Le Provocateur
Published in October 17, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Campus Ministry and the Social Justice Committee teamed up to bring the topic of Global Warming and Climate Change to the student body. the organizations opened up a showing of the film Sun Come Up to the student body on October 3 in the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center.
Following the film, Professor Richard Warby, Visiting Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, gave a presentation regarding the topics of global warming vs. climate change vs. greenhouse effect to better the students knowledge of the current problem going on in the world.
Sun Come Up is an Academy Award Nominated film that shows firsthand the hardship of facing climate change. The Carteret Islanders, a community that lives on a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean, are forced to leave the land that they have always known and learn to call a new place home.
The ever-changing environment, due to global warming and climate change, is threatening lives on the island the Carterets inhabit. They experience a food shortage and have to make the painful decision of whether or not to fight for their lives on the island, or to move to the mainland where they are hated by the Bougainvilles. These people are losing their culture, their way of life and their identity.
The Carterets also try to build relationships with the people they are at war with in Bougainville, 50 miles across the open water. The Carterets are facing fewer tress, more pollution and global warming and are forced to make relationships with the Bougainvilles in order to have a place to live.
Warby jump-started his discussion by proposing the question, "Did they movie have a happy ending?"
The audience came to the consensus that is was a happier ending than it could've possibly been because the Carerets started the slow process of their new move over to the mainland.
Warby's first concern was to make sure the students understood that global warming, climate change and greenhouse effect "should not be used interchangeably and mean different things. Global warming is an aspect to climate change."
One thing that people often argue about is whether the climate is, in fact, changing. According to the statistics it is changing. Over time, global temperatures from the 1900s to the 2012 have become serveral degrees warmer.
"We see very small incremental changes and do not always see the bigger picture of what's happening," said Warby. "The rate at which we are experience change in temperature is getting faster and faster."
The Earth's surface is heating up and greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping the heat. "By the end of the century, New York temperatures will be like the temperatures in Georgie, and New Hampshire will have temperatures like the Carolinas," predicted Warby.
"More frequent heat waves in the Northeast are expected to increasingly threaten human life," according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Farms and fisheries will likely face increasing problems with productivity, potentially damaging livelihoods and the regional economy."
Last October's snowstorm shows that the climate is drastically changing.
"The snowstorm we had in October last year is a direct effect of climate change and global warming," said Warby. "As a scientist, I don't believe in coincidence."
Why do we care though? "It is not that we necessarily get less rain, it's just the manner in which we get it," said Warby. "It's the intensity at which things are happening. Waters that were once frozen with methane will melt, the methane will go into the atmosphere, and therefore we will get higher temperatures. It all goes in a circle."
Statistics show that during this year, the sea ice in the Arctic was at its smallest area in record. According to the EPA, humans are largely to blame for the change in the climate.
"The choices we make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases we put in the atmosphere in the near future and for years to come," said the EPA.
"Sun Come Up is a great movie combining both Catholic social teaching and the effects of global warming on humanity; showing the need for all people to realize that they are a part of a greater global community," said junior Colleen Putzel. "What we do affects the world we live in and we need to be conscious with our actions."
Published in October 17, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Campus Ministry and the Social Justice Committee teamed up to bring the topic of Global Warming and Climate Change to the student body. the organizations opened up a showing of the film Sun Come Up to the student body on October 3 in the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center.
Following the film, Professor Richard Warby, Visiting Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, gave a presentation regarding the topics of global warming vs. climate change vs. greenhouse effect to better the students knowledge of the current problem going on in the world.
Sun Come Up is an Academy Award Nominated film that shows firsthand the hardship of facing climate change. The Carteret Islanders, a community that lives on a remote island in the South Pacific Ocean, are forced to leave the land that they have always known and learn to call a new place home.
The ever-changing environment, due to global warming and climate change, is threatening lives on the island the Carterets inhabit. They experience a food shortage and have to make the painful decision of whether or not to fight for their lives on the island, or to move to the mainland where they are hated by the Bougainvilles. These people are losing their culture, their way of life and their identity.
The Carterets also try to build relationships with the people they are at war with in Bougainville, 50 miles across the open water. The Carterets are facing fewer tress, more pollution and global warming and are forced to make relationships with the Bougainvilles in order to have a place to live.
Warby jump-started his discussion by proposing the question, "Did they movie have a happy ending?"
The audience came to the consensus that is was a happier ending than it could've possibly been because the Carerets started the slow process of their new move over to the mainland.
Warby's first concern was to make sure the students understood that global warming, climate change and greenhouse effect "should not be used interchangeably and mean different things. Global warming is an aspect to climate change."
One thing that people often argue about is whether the climate is, in fact, changing. According to the statistics it is changing. Over time, global temperatures from the 1900s to the 2012 have become serveral degrees warmer.
"We see very small incremental changes and do not always see the bigger picture of what's happening," said Warby. "The rate at which we are experience change in temperature is getting faster and faster."
The Earth's surface is heating up and greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping the heat. "By the end of the century, New York temperatures will be like the temperatures in Georgie, and New Hampshire will have temperatures like the Carolinas," predicted Warby.
"More frequent heat waves in the Northeast are expected to increasingly threaten human life," according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. "Farms and fisheries will likely face increasing problems with productivity, potentially damaging livelihoods and the regional economy."
Last October's snowstorm shows that the climate is drastically changing.
"The snowstorm we had in October last year is a direct effect of climate change and global warming," said Warby. "As a scientist, I don't believe in coincidence."
Why do we care though? "It is not that we necessarily get less rain, it's just the manner in which we get it," said Warby. "It's the intensity at which things are happening. Waters that were once frozen with methane will melt, the methane will go into the atmosphere, and therefore we will get higher temperatures. It all goes in a circle."
Statistics show that during this year, the sea ice in the Arctic was at its smallest area in record. According to the EPA, humans are largely to blame for the change in the climate.
"The choices we make today will affect the amount of greenhouse gases we put in the atmosphere in the near future and for years to come," said the EPA.
"Sun Come Up is a great movie combining both Catholic social teaching and the effects of global warming on humanity; showing the need for all people to realize that they are a part of a greater global community," said junior Colleen Putzel. "What we do affects the world we live in and we need to be conscious with our actions."
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Convocation welcomes new faces to AC - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in September 26, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Convocation is a ceremony that takes place once a year to recognize all of the new members of the faculty and staff at Assumption College. There are three components of convocation. First, the heads of the departments introduce all of the new employees who have been hired to the College in the past year. Second, President Francesco Cesareo gives a state of the college address.
"I address what has happened in the past year of the college, what were some of the major accomplishments of the college in the past year," said Cesareo. "And what are some of the challenges and opportunities that the college has faced."
Third, four chosen individuals are recognized and given one out of four various awards: excellence in teaching, excellence in service to the mission, excellence in scholarship and excellence in service.
"It is a way of recognizing individuals in the community who have really excelled in a particular area and who can serve as models to the rest of the community in terms of doing what they do best here at the college," said Cesareo.
This year, only two of the four wards were given out. the award of excellence in service was given to Professor Joseph T. Foley, the Business Studies Department Chair. The award of excellence in service to mission was given to Father Donat Lamothe, who is a Professor of Music.
After Father Dennis Galagher opened up with a prayer, Cesareo introduced the Vice President of Student Affairs Catherine WoodBrooks who introduced all of the new members in student affairs. These included the new Athletic Director Nick Smith, the Women's Head Lacrosse Coach Abbey Capobianco, the Assistant Director of Sports Information Jacob Grossman, the Assistant Director of Plourde Recreation Center Eric Wojtowicz, the Director of Health services Elizabeth Drexler-Hines, the Associate Director of Residential Life Benjamin Kadamus, the Resident Director of Wachusett Ashley Marco, the Resident Director of Salisubry Derek McDonald, the Resident Director of Plough-South-West Gregory Rodriguez, the Director of the Cross-Cultural Center Beatriz Patino-Mancuello, the Dean of Campus Life Conway Campbell, the Director of Residential Life Ted Zito and the Assistant Director of Residential Life Tyler Pau.
Following WoodBrooks, the Provost and Academic Vice President Franxis Lazarus introduced the 15 of 20 faculty and non-faculty members in the Office of the Provost. The five new members of the faculty included Associate Professor in the Business Studies department Catherine Pastille, Assistant Professor of Political Science Jeremy Geddert, Visiting Instructor in the Business Studies Department Paul Piwko, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Natural Science department Richard Warby and Visiting Instructor of Biology in the Natural Sciences department Elissa Kraus.
Lazarus also introduced non-faculty: Allen Wilkins, Christopher Murray, Elizabeth Hamblett, Dawn Law and Jennifer Marques are all new Information Technology members. Erin Rodriguez is the new Administrative Secretary. Amy Borrggaard is the new Assistant Director of Disability Services. Elizabeth Lipin is the new Cataloger & Reference Librarian. The last non-faculty member is Robin Maddalena is the Head of Access Services & Collection Management.
Cesareo introduced the new Director of Annual Giving Timothy Martin, who introduced his new Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Erin Mills. Cesareo continued with the new introductions for the finance department on behalf of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer Christian McCarthy. Those recognized were Peter Wells, David Grybowski, Debra Domozyvh, Matthew Mahota, Sean Montville, Casey Onuigbo and Michael Shea.
The last of all the acknowledgements was Daniel DiTullio, the new Executive Assistant for Government and Community Relations, within the President's Office. Cesareo closed out the ceremony by saying a few words and formally welcoming everyone to the college.
"Clearly Assumption College is a developing and vibrant institution," said Cesareo. "May God bless our efforts in this year ahead."
Published in September 26, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Convocation is a ceremony that takes place once a year to recognize all of the new members of the faculty and staff at Assumption College. There are three components of convocation. First, the heads of the departments introduce all of the new employees who have been hired to the College in the past year. Second, President Francesco Cesareo gives a state of the college address.
"I address what has happened in the past year of the college, what were some of the major accomplishments of the college in the past year," said Cesareo. "And what are some of the challenges and opportunities that the college has faced."
Third, four chosen individuals are recognized and given one out of four various awards: excellence in teaching, excellence in service to the mission, excellence in scholarship and excellence in service.
"It is a way of recognizing individuals in the community who have really excelled in a particular area and who can serve as models to the rest of the community in terms of doing what they do best here at the college," said Cesareo.
This year, only two of the four wards were given out. the award of excellence in service was given to Professor Joseph T. Foley, the Business Studies Department Chair. The award of excellence in service to mission was given to Father Donat Lamothe, who is a Professor of Music.
After Father Dennis Galagher opened up with a prayer, Cesareo introduced the Vice President of Student Affairs Catherine WoodBrooks who introduced all of the new members in student affairs. These included the new Athletic Director Nick Smith, the Women's Head Lacrosse Coach Abbey Capobianco, the Assistant Director of Sports Information Jacob Grossman, the Assistant Director of Plourde Recreation Center Eric Wojtowicz, the Director of Health services Elizabeth Drexler-Hines, the Associate Director of Residential Life Benjamin Kadamus, the Resident Director of Wachusett Ashley Marco, the Resident Director of Salisubry Derek McDonald, the Resident Director of Plough-South-West Gregory Rodriguez, the Director of the Cross-Cultural Center Beatriz Patino-Mancuello, the Dean of Campus Life Conway Campbell, the Director of Residential Life Ted Zito and the Assistant Director of Residential Life Tyler Pau.
Following WoodBrooks, the Provost and Academic Vice President Franxis Lazarus introduced the 15 of 20 faculty and non-faculty members in the Office of the Provost. The five new members of the faculty included Associate Professor in the Business Studies department Catherine Pastille, Assistant Professor of Political Science Jeremy Geddert, Visiting Instructor in the Business Studies Department Paul Piwko, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Natural Science department Richard Warby and Visiting Instructor of Biology in the Natural Sciences department Elissa Kraus.
Lazarus also introduced non-faculty: Allen Wilkins, Christopher Murray, Elizabeth Hamblett, Dawn Law and Jennifer Marques are all new Information Technology members. Erin Rodriguez is the new Administrative Secretary. Amy Borrggaard is the new Assistant Director of Disability Services. Elizabeth Lipin is the new Cataloger & Reference Librarian. The last non-faculty member is Robin Maddalena is the Head of Access Services & Collection Management.
Cesareo introduced the new Director of Annual Giving Timothy Martin, who introduced his new Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Erin Mills. Cesareo continued with the new introductions for the finance department on behalf of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer Christian McCarthy. Those recognized were Peter Wells, David Grybowski, Debra Domozyvh, Matthew Mahota, Sean Montville, Casey Onuigbo and Michael Shea.
The last of all the acknowledgements was Daniel DiTullio, the new Executive Assistant for Government and Community Relations, within the President's Office. Cesareo closed out the ceremony by saying a few words and formally welcoming everyone to the college.
"Clearly Assumption College is a developing and vibrant institution," said Cesareo. "May God bless our efforts in this year ahead."
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Prayer opportunities now mandatory within residence halls - Feature - Le Provocateur
Published in September 12, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Campus Ministry priests, the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life here on campus have teamed up to create something new and exciting in all of the residence halls. Once a week, the Resident Assistants in each residence hall are required to have "prayer opportunities" for their residents and to create programs with religious themes.
Although change can be challenging, when the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life were discussing whether or not to bring this new opportunity to the residence halls it was met with great enthusiasm, especially among the Resident Assistants who would be required to participate.
"I think that is is a really good idea for the school because it is a Catholic school and it will be great to give students a weekly opportunity to reflect and relax when our weeks can be so busy and overwhelming," says junior Kerriann Lusk, a Resident Assistant in Salisbury hall.
"I am happy that Residential Life has put this in place because it is a great way for students to get involved with their religion. I have on coming up on Tuesday in memory of September 11 so we will see how that goes," Lusk said.
The topics of prayer at the new prayer opportunities change on a weekly basis, and all of the topics are chosen by the RAs.
"Last week another Resident Assistant did a time capsule prayer opportunity," said Lusk. "I know later on this month we will ahve an adoration and a time to pray to a particular saint,"
ResLife administrators are enthusiastic about implementing this new program.
"The new prayer opportunities will allow all of the students living on campus, which is roughly about 90 percent of the student body, who are interested in prayer to experience it in the residence halls on a weekly basis," says Ted Zito, Director of Residential Life.
These prayer opportunities will not necessarily happen in every residence hall on campus, but merely in all of the living areas on campus. For example, on "the hill," they will meet one week in Nault, the next in Hanrahan and then the third week in Young. In "the valley," the location will switch from various Resident Assistants' apartments located throughout. The same goes for "the village" where Plough, South and Wet are located. Alumni, Desautels, Wachusett, the Living and Learning Center, Salisbury and Worcester will all have their own meetings in a common room area in those halls. Ultimately, the RAs are the ones who decide the location.
The campus is lucky enough to have four of its practicing priests living in the residence halls. Father Dinh is in the area where Alumni and Desautels are located. Father Roger is living in the Living and Learning Center and may also cover "the village" area. Father Barry will be the priest for "the valley" area.
"The priests who live as residents have the opportunity to bring a piece of Campus Ministry to the residence halls," said Zito.
Part of the process will include the RAs and Resident Directors attending a DVD series on Catholicism; Barry is putting on the series. The reason for this series is so that the RAs and RDs can pose their own questions regarding faith and prayer, discuss them and possibly have them answered.
"There are training opportunities for the Resident Assistants through 'Foundation Fridays' to learn more about faith," said Zito.
The series is about every four weeks and starts on September 14. It will be held in Hagan Center Hall and will be open to the whole student body.
"The main concern was to help students understand that faith has to be lived out," said James Rizza, Director of Campus Ministry. "Faith is not just what we learn in class. It should be put into daily life, not just during Sunday worship."
Just because Assumption is a Catholic College does not mean that the prayer opportunities are strictly for Catholics.
"We want to open up the spirit dimension on campus for those that are of different faiths," said Rizza.
This new opportunity is to help the college branch outside of the traditional programming.
"As a college, we are moving in the direction to our roots as a Catholic Institution," said Zito.
Residential Life and Campus Ministry are looking forward to what will come of the new prayer opportunities.
"I am looking forward to the new prayer opportunities especially since it is a Catholic school," said junior Sarah Bevins, a Resident Assistant in Wachusett Hall. "I am glad residents will have more opportunity to practice their faith if they choose to. I don't know how successful it will be, but I don't mind trying it out."
Published in September 12, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
Campus Ministry priests, the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life here on campus have teamed up to create something new and exciting in all of the residence halls. Once a week, the Resident Assistants in each residence hall are required to have "prayer opportunities" for their residents and to create programs with religious themes.
Although change can be challenging, when the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Residential Life were discussing whether or not to bring this new opportunity to the residence halls it was met with great enthusiasm, especially among the Resident Assistants who would be required to participate.
"I think that is is a really good idea for the school because it is a Catholic school and it will be great to give students a weekly opportunity to reflect and relax when our weeks can be so busy and overwhelming," says junior Kerriann Lusk, a Resident Assistant in Salisbury hall.
"I am happy that Residential Life has put this in place because it is a great way for students to get involved with their religion. I have on coming up on Tuesday in memory of September 11 so we will see how that goes," Lusk said.
The topics of prayer at the new prayer opportunities change on a weekly basis, and all of the topics are chosen by the RAs.
"Last week another Resident Assistant did a time capsule prayer opportunity," said Lusk. "I know later on this month we will ahve an adoration and a time to pray to a particular saint,"
ResLife administrators are enthusiastic about implementing this new program.
"The new prayer opportunities will allow all of the students living on campus, which is roughly about 90 percent of the student body, who are interested in prayer to experience it in the residence halls on a weekly basis," says Ted Zito, Director of Residential Life.
These prayer opportunities will not necessarily happen in every residence hall on campus, but merely in all of the living areas on campus. For example, on "the hill," they will meet one week in Nault, the next in Hanrahan and then the third week in Young. In "the valley," the location will switch from various Resident Assistants' apartments located throughout. The same goes for "the village" where Plough, South and Wet are located. Alumni, Desautels, Wachusett, the Living and Learning Center, Salisbury and Worcester will all have their own meetings in a common room area in those halls. Ultimately, the RAs are the ones who decide the location.
The campus is lucky enough to have four of its practicing priests living in the residence halls. Father Dinh is in the area where Alumni and Desautels are located. Father Roger is living in the Living and Learning Center and may also cover "the village" area. Father Barry will be the priest for "the valley" area.
"The priests who live as residents have the opportunity to bring a piece of Campus Ministry to the residence halls," said Zito.
Part of the process will include the RAs and Resident Directors attending a DVD series on Catholicism; Barry is putting on the series. The reason for this series is so that the RAs and RDs can pose their own questions regarding faith and prayer, discuss them and possibly have them answered.
"There are training opportunities for the Resident Assistants through 'Foundation Fridays' to learn more about faith," said Zito.
The series is about every four weeks and starts on September 14. It will be held in Hagan Center Hall and will be open to the whole student body.
"The main concern was to help students understand that faith has to be lived out," said James Rizza, Director of Campus Ministry. "Faith is not just what we learn in class. It should be put into daily life, not just during Sunday worship."
Just because Assumption is a Catholic College does not mean that the prayer opportunities are strictly for Catholics.
"We want to open up the spirit dimension on campus for those that are of different faiths," said Rizza.
This new opportunity is to help the college branch outside of the traditional programming.
"As a college, we are moving in the direction to our roots as a Catholic Institution," said Zito.
Residential Life and Campus Ministry are looking forward to what will come of the new prayer opportunities.
"I am looking forward to the new prayer opportunities especially since it is a Catholic school," said junior Sarah Bevins, a Resident Assistant in Wachusett Hall. "I am glad residents will have more opportunity to practice their faith if they choose to. I don't know how successful it will be, but I don't mind trying it out."
Published Work - Le Provocateur
Ted Paulauskas to retire after this year - News - Le Provocateur
Published in February 1, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
With the 45th anniversary of his graduation from Assumption rapidly approaching this upcoming June, Ted Paulauskas' decision to retire was an easy one. Paulauskas said, My wife, who is also an educator, decided in the fall that she was going to retire as well, so it made the decision easy for me. The job of being Athletic Director is not your typical 9-5 job, its also a Spring Break, weekend, and holiday type of job."
Athletic Director and Hall of Fame basketball player for Assumption College, Ted Paulauskas, announced his retirement planned for the end of the 2011-2012 academic year on December 15, 2011. Paulauskas has been the Athletic Director since 2003. Although he is not involved in the process of picking or training the new Athletic Director, he is willing to make himself available if the upcoming director is to have any questions.
Paulauskas is originally from a small town right ouside of Worcester, Mass. He attended high school at St. John's, formerly located in Worcester, but now in the town of Shrewsbury. After graduation, he spent his college experience on the campus of Assumption. He was a member of the Men's Basketball team for all four of his academic years, and served as the captain his senior year. He graduated from Assumption with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in History and Education.
After he graduated in 1967, he taught at Fitchburg High School for two years. Shortly after Paulauskas started working in the Athletic department of Assumption in 1969 as the Assistant Athletic Director, but he also sharpened his coaching skills by becoming the Assistant Coach to the Men's Basketball team, and the head coach for both the Men's Tennis and Cross-Country teams. After a year of coaching, he went into the military during the Vietnam War from 1970-1972. When he came home from the war, he returned back to Assumption and worked for another year.
In 1974, Paulauskas headed off to be the Assistant Coach for the Dartmouth Basketball and Tennis teams for a year.
After Dartmouth, he moved to St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H. Paulauskas stayed at St. Anselm's for 25 years, with the job title of Athletic Director and described his experience by saying, "I was only 27 when I was the Athletic Director. IT was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity."
Paulauskas coached the St. A's Men's Basketball team for eight years. While he was acting as the director and coaching basketball, he took part in the building of the recreation center, the football stadium, seven outdoor sports fields, a tennis facility, the cross-country course and the renovation of the gym. Not only did his job as Athletic Director at St. A's require him to assist in the various buildings, but he was all in charge of hiring all of the staff and recruiting all of the student athletes when it became a co-ed institution. While reflecting on the number of duties he had while at St. Anselm's Paulauskas said, "As time goes on, the world becomes much more specialized. Years ago though, people were responsible for many more duties."
As the Athletic Director here at Assumption, he assisted in renovating the fields and the outdoor stadium, just as he did at St. Anselm's. He started as the Athletic Director in 2003 an is responsible for adding the Women's Swimming, Men's Track and Women's Track to the athletics here on campus. There are 425 student-athletes, about 23 percent of the student body here on campus, which Paulauskas oversees. When reflecting back on his years here at Assumption, whether that is as a student or an employee, Paulauskas described it by saying, "I have been a very fortunate person to be around 18-22 year olds for my whole life."
Published in February 1, 2012 issue of Le Provocateur
With the 45th anniversary of his graduation from Assumption rapidly approaching this upcoming June, Ted Paulauskas' decision to retire was an easy one. Paulauskas said, My wife, who is also an educator, decided in the fall that she was going to retire as well, so it made the decision easy for me. The job of being Athletic Director is not your typical 9-5 job, its also a Spring Break, weekend, and holiday type of job."
Athletic Director and Hall of Fame basketball player for Assumption College, Ted Paulauskas, announced his retirement planned for the end of the 2011-2012 academic year on December 15, 2011. Paulauskas has been the Athletic Director since 2003. Although he is not involved in the process of picking or training the new Athletic Director, he is willing to make himself available if the upcoming director is to have any questions.
Paulauskas is originally from a small town right ouside of Worcester, Mass. He attended high school at St. John's, formerly located in Worcester, but now in the town of Shrewsbury. After graduation, he spent his college experience on the campus of Assumption. He was a member of the Men's Basketball team for all four of his academic years, and served as the captain his senior year. He graduated from Assumption with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in History and Education.
After he graduated in 1967, he taught at Fitchburg High School for two years. Shortly after Paulauskas started working in the Athletic department of Assumption in 1969 as the Assistant Athletic Director, but he also sharpened his coaching skills by becoming the Assistant Coach to the Men's Basketball team, and the head coach for both the Men's Tennis and Cross-Country teams. After a year of coaching, he went into the military during the Vietnam War from 1970-1972. When he came home from the war, he returned back to Assumption and worked for another year.
In 1974, Paulauskas headed off to be the Assistant Coach for the Dartmouth Basketball and Tennis teams for a year.
After Dartmouth, he moved to St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H. Paulauskas stayed at St. Anselm's for 25 years, with the job title of Athletic Director and described his experience by saying, "I was only 27 when I was the Athletic Director. IT was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity."
Paulauskas coached the St. A's Men's Basketball team for eight years. While he was acting as the director and coaching basketball, he took part in the building of the recreation center, the football stadium, seven outdoor sports fields, a tennis facility, the cross-country course and the renovation of the gym. Not only did his job as Athletic Director at St. A's require him to assist in the various buildings, but he was all in charge of hiring all of the staff and recruiting all of the student athletes when it became a co-ed institution. While reflecting on the number of duties he had while at St. Anselm's Paulauskas said, "As time goes on, the world becomes much more specialized. Years ago though, people were responsible for many more duties."
As the Athletic Director here at Assumption, he assisted in renovating the fields and the outdoor stadium, just as he did at St. Anselm's. He started as the Athletic Director in 2003 an is responsible for adding the Women's Swimming, Men's Track and Women's Track to the athletics here on campus. There are 425 student-athletes, about 23 percent of the student body here on campus, which Paulauskas oversees. When reflecting back on his years here at Assumption, whether that is as a student or an employee, Paulauskas described it by saying, "I have been a very fortunate person to be around 18-22 year olds for my whole life."
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