Last week’s recognition of the creative work by members of our Albertus community took place during the 2019 reception of Breakwater: a publication designed by students and comprised of student, faculty and staff submissions. A literary relative to Albertus’ The Scribbler and Albertinum, Breakwater differs in its embrace of color, visuals, and shorter works of prose and poetry. Breakwater represents a symbolic shift from the philosophical and political submissions that once filled the pages of those earlier magazines towards recent works that appeal more to individuality.
Breakwater began publication in 1972, a year in Albertus history that coincidentally contained a reinvigoration of artistic and literary expression on campus. October 8 of that year, for instance, Fritz Eichenberg, the renown graphic artist and illustrator, was “appointed to teach a class for the current academic year [1972].” Eichenberg was well-known “for his
illustrations of over 100 books which include the works of Poe, Swift, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and the Brontes.” Although Eichenberg had no submissions in that year’s magazine (it is unclear exactly when faculty and staff submissions began to be accepted), his campus presence should be seen as evidence of the college’s support for artistic expression.
Breakwater’s 1972 maiden voyage launched with an introductory page that offered meaning behind its title. “Quietly murmuring waves / lapped against the rocks,” greets the magazine’s first intended reader, “together consistent, “swishing, soft / But ever-moving.” These opening lines are more than a poetical arrangement of words. These lines are threads with which our Albertus history and heritage are woven. And this is perhaps why each issue of Breakwater is so dear to us, for each year our college community receives an invitation to a re-articulation of developed bonds only made possible by the founding of Albertus. Once formed, such bonds are fostered by our past and present community and strengthened by the guidance of our Dominican pillars.
Speaking with Christian Carrocca and Monica Colon, next year’s Breakwater editors, it becomes clear just how deeply our Dominican values lay the seeds for a shared creativity. Meaningful value, Christian indicated, is derived from the student’s ability to feel and reflect on her/his artistic work before its contribution to the magazine. This magazine, Monica posited, provides a “place where I can creatively explore my love of literature.” Such ongoing contributions not only serve as a way to offer glimpses of thoughts and feelings but also provide a way for inward reflection and, of course, contemplation.
[1] “Graphic Artist Fritz Eichenberg Teaches Printmaking at Albertus,” Albertus Magnus College Archives, Public Announcements, (1972): 1.
[2] Ibid.,
[3] Breakwater, Cover Page, Albertus Magnus College (1972): 1.
About the Author
Mathew Sheehan ’15 is the Library Resource and Services Assistant for Albertus Magnus College. He graduated from Albertus Magnus as Class Marshal in 2015 and received an MSc in Intellectual History from the University of Edinburgh. Mathew is currently pursuing an MLIS degree with a concentration in Archives Management from Simmons University.