The Albertus community gathered for several events recently which enhance our Dominican values on campus.
Founders’ Day
On Friday, September 19 the College celebrated Founders’ Day, an annual day dedicated to our Dominican heritage and the welcome of our newest students.
The theme of Founders’ Day this year was Dominicans: Preaching through the Arts. The day featured two presentations. The morning lecture was given by Sr. Thoma Swanson, O.P., former Chair of the Art Department at Albertus Magnus College. Sr. Thoma spoke about how artists speaks to us “by making visible, hearable, immediate and understandable to the community the truths they perceive”. Sr. Thoma’s presentation was followed by a panel of responders: Abbe Miller, Director, Graduate Art Therapy Program; Jerome Nevins, Co-chair, Department of Visual and Performing Arts; Annalise Chiarelli ’14, and Rebecca Weinberger ’15. In addition students and faculty in the Art and Art Therapy Programs had an art display in the Art Gallery, Hubert Campus Center and Walsh Hall.
The afternoon presentation was given by Sr. Amy McFrederick, O.P. who spoke on Dominicans: Preaching through Music. Sr. Amy used some of her original works to show how music is a way of expressing deep truths about faith and life.
Following Sr. Amy’s presentation the Albertus Magnus Chorus, under the direction of Arthur Bellucci, presented some musical selections.
At 12:00 the class of 2018 and new transfer students were welcomed into the college community by the seniors at the Candlelight Ceremony. During the Candlelight Ceremony the new students received the “light” of knowledge and signed the Tradition of Honor. These ceremonies both go back to the founding of the college. Following the Candlelight Ceremony the college community had an all campus picnic outside of Bree Common.
At the conclusion of Founders’ Day Jerome Nevins, Co-chair of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, received the VERITAS Award from the college. This award is given to individuals or groups, who exemplify the living traditions and values of the college.
The Dominican Forum
On Monday, October 6 members of the college community gathered in the Atrium, Tagliatela Center for the Dominican Forum. During this lunchtime event attendees heard from students, administrators, faculty and staff about Dominican themed conferences they attended during the summer.
The Dominican College Preaching in Action Conference is an annual gathering of college students from Dominican Colleges throughout the U.S. This year the conference took place at Molloy College in New York. Students attending from Albertus Magnus College were Esther Hartzell ’17, Earl McCoy ’17, and Zaida Velazco ’17. Accompanying the students was Deacon John Hoffman, Coordinator of Dominican Ministries. During the conference the students participated in events that promoted the Dominican values of study, prayer, community and service – as well as fun. Funds for this conference were given by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, sponsors of the college.
The theme of the 13th Dominican Colloquium of Dominican Colleges and Universities held at Molloy College was, “Inspiring Compassion, Fostering Engagement: Locally, Nationally, Globally.” Colleagues from 15 Dominican Colleges and Universities gave creative and scholarly presentations. Sessions were divided into themes such as non-profit leadership, first-year experience, Dominican pedagogy, education for the world with diverse disciplines, building community through innovative partnerships, vulnerable populations, research, sustainability, technology, service learning, social justice, and Dominican young adults.
Albertus Magnus College had two presenters at the Colloquium: Professor Hilda Speicher and Patricia Compagnone-Post who gave a presentation entitled, “Implementation of High Impact Practices on the Albertus Campus: Engaging Students in Collaborative Research”. Also attending the Colloquium were from Albertus were Associate Professor, Paul Robichaud, Dean of Students, Andrew Foster, Acting Dean of the Division of Professional and Graduate Studies, Annette Bosley-Boyce and Assistant to the President for Dominican Mission, Sr. Anne Kilbride, O.P.